Those dusty old paintbrushes and crochet needles in the attic? It’s time to put them to use again.
With the rise of AI slop on the internet, Gen Z is craving real, physical experiences, like shopping in malls, sending snail mail, and going to in-person dating events. And a group of entrepreneurs is seizing the moment.
Art and creative side hustles are no longer just hobby-driven; they’re becoming avenues to earn a substantial second income stream. Artists, illustrators, writers, and even people with no creative backgrounds are making cash by selling products like art prints, literary pamphlets, stickers, and postcards.
Creative work has never had a reputation as a cash cow. For decades, working 9-to-5 jobs in traditional STEM, finance, and consulting industries was seen as the key to a successful career and a full wallet.
But AI-triggered layoffs are coming for traditional sectors, and leaders are warning that STEM is overdone. As AI tightens its grip on logic-driven and repetitive work, execs say society may pivot toward the humanities and more emotion-driven pursuits.
There’s an art to turning your hobby into a hustle. Check out our coverage of people who’ve turned their analog into ambition.
