Arts or Crafts? How to Tell Where You Shine

Some creators thrive on emotion, imagination, and self-expression. Others find their spark in strategy, problem-solving, and building skills for ambitious careers. At Next Wave, we celebrate both—because the next wave needs both the creators and the doers.

Neither is “better," they’re just different waves in the same ocean.  It’s about discovering the way you naturally make your mark, or if you’re someone who can ride both waves at once.

What's the Difference?

The Arts 

You lead with creativity that flows from the heart. You tell stories, paint worlds, and craft experiences that make people feel. You’re fueled by inspiration, and you’re not afraid to color outside the lines.

The Crafts 

You’re the architect of big visions—not just in making things, but in building futures. You think in systems, strategies, and solutions. You’re drawn to structured careers like medicine, law, business, engineering, STEM, finance, leadership or any place that mastery, logic, and persistence for change and helping others pay off.

Mini Quiz: Are you Arts, Crafts or Both?

Take this quiz to find out where your creativity stands: in The Arts, The Crafts, or both.

1. Your ideal project is something like...

   a) Creating a short film, writing a song, or painting a mural

   b) Developing a business plan, designing a prototype, or leading a debate

   c) Something that blends both creativity and strategy

   
   

2. What excites you more?

   a) The emotional impact of an idea and creating an entire story with your mind

   b) The real-world results of an idea and the elements of a solution

   c) Both equally

   
   

3. When you start a new project, your work style is usually...

   a) Going with the flow, letting inspiration lead

   b) Setting clear goals, mapping out the plan, and execute

   c) Switching between both depending on the project

   
   

4. Friends come to you for...

   a) Inspiration and creative direction

   b) Advice, structure, or a game plan

   c) Everything, because you don't stick to one way of thinking

   
   

5. If you could only choose one type of success, it would be...

   a) Artistic recognition

   b) Career achievement

   c) Building something that’s both meaningful and successful

   
   
   
   

   Results

   Mostly A’s: The Arts

   You’re powered by creative freedom and emotional depth. Your work inspires, provokes, and leaves a lasting impression. You’re here to make the world feel and embrace every story.

   
   

   Mostly B’s: The Crafts

   You’re powered by skill, precision, and determination. You turn dreams into measurable achievements, and you’re here to make the world work better.

   
   

   Mostly C’s: The Blend

   You’re a hybrid—equal parts dreamer and strategist. You can imagine what’s possible and figure out exactly how to make it happen.

   
   

   Not everyone fits neatly into a single category, and that’s the beauty of creativity. You might find joy in both painting a canvas and designing a prototype, or you might explore skills that don’t fully fall into either “arts” or “crafts.” Maybe you write code, choreograph dances, start youth organizations, design fashion, or launch community projects—and that’s awesome in itself.

At Next Wave, we welcome all forms of teen creativity. Whether you’re blending artistic expression with technical skill, forging your own lane entirely, or still figuring it out—there’s space here for you. After all, progression often happens when different creative worlds collide.