Introducing the Herschel Supply Bank of Creativity: Herschel Supply introduces the Bank of Creativity: a space where established New York artists provide emerging creative entrepreneurs with advice and resources to help launch their careers.
Historically, private financial institutions have never favored artists and creators. A lack of collateral is the number one reason why private loans are denied. An artist who relies on royalties from sales of songs, art, photos, films or tickets isn’t the most desired investment for a bank as it’s difficult to put a guaranteed ROI behind creative work.
Herschel founders Jamie and Lyndon Cormack could relate to a lot of the struggles faced by these emerging creatives, “All of it—the sleepless nights, the anxious moments and the small triumphs along the way—made us stronger. It was about taking a risk, trying something new and understanding that failure was just as probable as success,” says Jamie Cormack, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Herschel Supply. “It was a journey that meant putting ourselves out there”. Having experienced the institutional underfunding of the creative community, the design-first brand is enabling emerging artists and creators to do the same.
Located in the former Brooklyn Bank in Brooklyn, New York, Herschel Supply introduced the Bank of Creativity. The brand partnered with established creatives Olivia Rose, Danny Cole and Sophia Wilson to provide mentorship to 18 up-and-coming creators with the aim of helping them elevate their creative careers. Unlike traditional banks, the mentorship advice was personally tailored to each individual, their unique backgrounds and their craft. Each creator was carefully partnered with one of the three advisors based on their areas of interest and expertise. In addition to the mentorship, Herschel provided resources and supplies that were pinpointed by the creators as being critical to their career growth.
About the Advisors
Danny Cole
- Danny Cole is an interdisciplinary artist and director of Creature World; an organization dedicated to making a magical world through art. Creature World specializes in creating experiences in the realms of fine art, web3 innovations, live exhibitions, and physical goods. He has collaborated with brands such as Complex, Converse and Advisry.
Olivia Rose
- Olivia Rose is an interdisciplinary artist and landscape architect, and founder of Original Rose, a modern creative plant design studio. Olivia’s works are informed by landscape architecture and natural plant life, introducing horticulture to art, fashion and performance. Olivia has collaborated with brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Balenciaga and Nike.
Sophia Wilson
- Sophia Wilson is a photographer and visual artist who started her photographer journey at age 12, gaining international recognition for her work by the time she turned 15. Sophia Wilson’s photography has been featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, Dazed and The New York Times, to name a few.
“We asked up-and-coming New York creators what it would take to turn their side hustle into their main hustle. Aside from providing supplies and equipment, it was important to us that these creators had the opportunity to sit down and speak with advisors who have been through this journey. The goal is to provide support in a way that would take their creative careers to the next level,” says Jamie Cormack, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Herschel Supply Co.
In one hour sessions, Rose, Cole, and Wilson used personal stories of struggles and successes to provide coaching and advice to support the creators through their own emotional and financial obstacles. Each creator left the Bank of Creativity equipped with tools of their trade and tailored advice to continue developing their careers in the creative industries. For the vast majority of the creators, Herschel’s support with art materials, camera equipment and studio space meant less time working additional jobs to fund supplies for their craft, and more time dedicated to their creative pursuits. To keep conversations going, contact information and social handles were exchanged and some creators were introduced to new contacts within the advisors’ communities for additional mentorship opportunities.
“It was important for us to demonstrate our support in a way that would be impactful to creatives,” says Lyndon Cormack, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Herschel Supply Co. “Who better to provide those breaks than artists who’ve experienced the tension between creativity and commerce first-hand, and who’ve come out on the other side?”
One of these creators was Leanne Chan, also known by her stage name Lann. An indie pop/rock musician, Leanne spoke about the struggles she faced growing up queer in a strict Chinese household. She uses her music to accept and embrace her sexuality, something she tried to ignore and repress. She hopes that her music will be relatable and provide strength to those going through similar struggles.
“This is a really nice way to actually prove to myself that this is possible and that I could have a future in this” says Chan on her experience with the Bank of Creativity.
From her conversations with the creatives, Olivia Rose states that, “Being a “creative” can be a very isolating experience. Many of the recipients shared they lacked mentorship and were looking for someone they could talk to and help them navigate through the road ahead. Even if it’s someone they can talk out their day to day with and vent to. Sometimes saying things out loud to others can provide so much clarity.”
Herschel has a long history of projects geared towards uplifting and empowering creatives and their communities. In May, they launched the Nova Art Project, a series of bi-annual partnerships with female artists where Herschel’s signature Nova Backpack becomes a canvas to celebrate women in the arts. Proceeds from the Nova Art Project directly supports female-identifying artists through the fellowship program at ArtTable, a New York-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing professional opportunities for women in the arts.
About Herschel Supply
Most businesses begin with a problem to solve, ours was simple: backpacks were boring. So in 2009, we set out to redesign them. Simple, stylish and uncomplicated — a bag that had everything you needed and nothing you didn’t. One you could take anywhere, everyday.
A lot has changed since 2009, but who we are never will. From two brothers in Vancouver to millions of customers around the world, the same values still guide us today. And the products and actions we take will always reflect them. For us, creating the trail is what counts. So no matter what you’re doing or where you’re headed, embrace the journey. We just want to come along for the ride.For more information, visit www.herschelsupply.com and follow Herschel Supply on Instagram.
