A Question of Creativity

We are looking at creativity this week and we will be meeting at the Enigma Tap at 7:30pm and everyone is welcome to come and join the conversation.

Are you creative? If so, why? If not, why not? Take a moment to think and write down what you think.

If you asked most people what creativity is, they’d answer making art, or craft, or music. They’d concentrate on the end products of paintings, musical performance, dance or hand made items. And, of course, there would be some kind of qualitative judgement of any end-product. So even if they may say I’m a musician or a painter – they may follow this up with a statement like – but not a very good one.

But is this really creativity? Where else is creativity found? 

In schools, creativity is becoming increasingly important and it’s not just more art, drama and music. Educationalist Bill Lucas along with Guy Claxton and Ellen Spencer undertook research and developed a wider definition of creativity that encompasses habits of mind rather than just practical skills. The key threads being: –

Imaginative

Persistent

Inquisitive

Discipline 

Collaborative

These are not just relevant to artists and musicians but can apply throughout life. Look at their Creativity wheel. How do you think this maps onto our Beachcomber scavenger, wanderer, gatherer and collector values?

Resource from https://arts.wales/resources/synhwyror-iaith-sensing-language/creative-habits-mind

Being creative isn’t about making stuff, it’s about creative habits like curiosity, imagination and play. Artists don’t set out to make a masterpiece and musicians don’t set out to make a timeless classic. Using the habits above, they just draw and paint and play. There’s a discipline at work to gain skills, but not with the intent of output. Instead, it’s a process of sketching, jamming – noodling and doodling – working to order is often a killer of creativity. Instead, habitually playing may well lead to more creativity. One thing that won’t is fear. Fear of failure and not being good enough is the killer of creativity. 

Whether it’s writing or painting, cooking or playing guitar, art or crafting – stepping into the stream of imagination and not being scared of failure and not really worrying if it’s good or not, is the path towards being creative. 

As you can see from the creativity wheel – it isn’t about making. It’s more about creativity in our everyday lives, noticing when we dare to do something different or live with uncertainty for a while. When we challenge the assumptions of others or wonder about big questions. Its daring to ask, ‘What if?’

A book we’ve both been bowled over by in the last year is Rob Hopkins’ “From what is to What if”. In it he sets out a manifesto for creativity, imagination and play. He believes it will change the world. Creativity allows us to dream of what could be. Yes, there are always lots of barriers and reasons why things aren’t the way they could be. Often we accept the status quo without asking how things could be different. Artists and creatives are frequently the people within society who ask such questions or dream of a different reality because their creative habits allow then to look at things differently and notice… What if?

If you could instantly acquire one traditionally creative skill, what would it be?

Do you ever play anymore? What does (or could) it look like for you?

Which of those creative habits of mind do you most resonate with and why?

Which one seems most difficult?

What would be your ‘What if?’ question about the place you live?

What could you do to make this happen?

What could you do this week to start to be more creative?

John Cooper

I’ve been a member of BCFX for about 2 years. I love it. It’s home and hearth, welcome and challenge, ebb and flow.