Our creative future, according to you

In January we released the first-ever Anonymous Creative Futures Report. It invited creative people to (anonymously) share what they were feeling about the state of their creative universe in the year ahead.

But what about this year? How are we feeling now? For the second Anonymous Creative Futures Report, we’re inviting all creative people in the Metalabel community and beyond to share their perspective by answering nine questions:

1. Do you think it will be better or worse to be a creative person in 2026?
2. Will your financial situation as a creative person be more or less secure?
3. How connected or isolated do you expect to feel from other creative people?
4. How do you expect digital platforms will influence your work?
5. How do you expect AI will influence your work?
6. Will you be more or less inclined to share your work online?
7. What do you expect in the coming year?
8. What worries you?
9. What excites you?

You can answer these nine questions (most of which are multiple choice) in less than five minutes here:

In addition to the survey, emails are great too. Reach out with Anonymous Futures in the subject line and tell us what's on your mind: hello@metalabel.com.

Early in the new year we’ll publish the results.

The philosophy of dark forests

This week on the New Creative Era podcast we go into the philosophies and belief systems behind dark forests. Are they revolutionary, spaces of retreat, or infrastructure for dissent? Or are they all of the above, and a lot more?

Listen on Apple, Spotify, or here in your browser as we dig in.

The philosophy of dark forests (New Creative Era 02.04) 32:33 • Click to play audio

New Releases

Rhizome, “I <3 Computer bumper stickers”.
Our friends at Rhizome, defenders of digital art on the web, have a very them release of bumper stickers for the Very Online. We went for “Online since 1996” (was ‘94 for us, but close enough).

See also: Bunny Series Postcard Set by Cristine Brache; Internet Researcher Hat

NYC Garbage, Season 2 Finale
The one-of-a-kind NYC Garbage project from artist Justin Gignac packages actual trash found on the streets of New York into collectible art. Tomorrow at noon they'll be releasing a new collection of beautifully curated cubes of literal trash. Last year’s drop sold out in 90 minutes.

See also: Love Key by Philippa Schmitt

Flora, Field Guide Vol 1: Observations
The number of hyper-specific deep dive zines dropping on Metalabel each month is enough to get you an adjunct credential in one of at least 5,000 different (mostly internet-based) subcultures. This release by an AI-curious group of writers and researchers goes into generative and post-AI creative practices.

See also: Uncovering Algorithms; Get Nuff Nuff Data; Surface Treasure.

The Anonymous Creative Futures Survey

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Tell us how you're feeling about where we are right now. Then tune in January 2026 when we release the collective temperature check.

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Metalabel