Creativity: The use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness.
“You’ve either got it or you don’t” when it comes to creativity. "You can draw a picture or you can’t". Where did this nonsense come from?
These ideas of what it means to be creative are stifling and limiting. The truth is, we are all born creative. We are all born with wild imaginations and a desire to try. No one is born without that creative spark because that piece of ourselves is our innate curiosity. And for that, we are all creative.
So why is it that so many adults are afraid that they’ve lost their creativity? Sadly, it would seem that in many environments, the practice of creativity is deeply discouraged. Our immediate situations growing up can have a huge impact on how we foster our inspirational habits. Negative settings or comments about exploratory behavior, and judgements on unfinished or imperfect work can have a life altering effect on how we view ourselves as artists. Those things stay with us.
I was fortunate to work with Arts Council Wales from 2018/2020 as part of their Lead Creative Schools Scheme. My remit, to work with artists, teachers and young learners in schools developing projects that foster creative habits of mind.
In this work, creativity is viewed as habits of mind. I truly believe it is.
5 Key themes are considered in developing and nurturing creative habits: The art of collaboration, discipline, imagination, persistence and inquisitiveness.
These components allow us to think out the box, to brave uncertainty, to remain open to change, to create with confidence.
Creativity needs to be fuelled, developed, nurtured. We were all born with the potential to create beautiful, meaningful, truth telling things. Let's return to our childlike wonder. Put faith in ourselves again, be willing to risk despite the fear of failure, and remain open to change.
Let's enjoy the ride.
Sir Ken Robinson RIP is one of my favourite speakers on creativity, especially with regard to developing young open minds. If you haven't listened before, I do hope you enjoy. Grab a cuppa, 20 mins of inspirational talk
Not forgetting, the Life Room is a perfect setting to explore those creative habits of mind!
Check out current availability by logging on to https://www.cloudypeake.com/book-online
Clouds x