2024-05-19T20:54:18-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150074266/watch-theaster-gates-give-moving-speech-as-he-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-ual Mackenzie Goldberg 2018-07-20T15:15:00-04:00 >2018-07-21T17:24:40-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/b3/b3f7c941a04101430cea008f4b88a5ec.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>Receiving an Honorary Doctorate this morning from the <a href="https://archinect.com/schools/cover/7507145/central-saint-martins" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">University of the Arts London</a>, American artist, curator, urbanist and facilitator&nbsp;<a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/668714/theaster-gates" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Theaster Gates</a> gave an unforgettable address about the functions of creative practice. Known for his long-running work of <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/113684/social-architecture" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">socially engaged art</a> in the South Side of Chicago, his work&nbsp;focuses on space theory and land development, sculpture and performance.&nbsp;</p> <p>In the following speech, Gates talks about what it means to be an artist and the importance of its continued pursuit. &ldquo;I have never felt more confident that to be an artist is one of the greatest vocations in the world," he said. "You guys have the capacity to dream and fight and this world needs you right now more than it&rsquo;s ever needed any creative class.&rdquo; Watch the full speech below!</p>