Promoting Creativity Consciousness

If you are not familiar with Gary Davis's book, Creativity is Forever (5th ed.), this is book that is jam packed with good information on multiple aspects of creativity. In this book, Davis says that, "increasing creativity consciousness and creative attitudes is the single most important component of teaching for creative growth" (p. 328). He also suggests that it will be the "natural outgrowth of virtually any type of creativity exercises and activities" (p. 329). Based on my own experiences with creativity, I agree that this consciousness/awareness of your own creativity and its importance for others makes the difference between those who see creativity as a frill and those who make it a priority for themselves and others. Creativity consciousness, according to Treffinger, Young, Selby and Shepardson (2002) in an article on "Personal Creativity Characteristics" support the importance of having a "personal understanding of who you are, a vision of where you want to go, and a commitment to do whatever it takes to get there" (p.4). There are many resources available for helping to promote creative thinking and problem solving. I have included a section on this blog of some of my favorites. Again, according to Davis, the best way to develop your creativity, and thus your creativity consciousness, is to do creative things.

Treffinger, D., Young, G., Selby, E., & Shepardson, C. (2002). Personal creativity characteristics (Part 4 of 4). Creative Learning Today, 11 (4), 4-6.

Why Creative Spaces?

“Creative spaces” is a concept that came out of a study I completed in 2005, where I studied four teachers’ experiences and practices that they felt were important to their desire and ability to teach for creativity in their classrooms. Teaching for creativity means that there was a deliberate effort on their part to encourage, support and help their students to develop their own creativity. As a result of this study, it became apparent that creative spaces (i.e., the time, awareness, opportunity, acceptance and support of creativity) are as important for teachers as well as their students. In fact, many believe that creativity is important for all people. I am one of those people and it has become my passion to try make creative spaces accessible for everyone. Becoming aware of your personal creativity is a part of the creative process. You can develop your own “creativity consciousness,” learn some creative thinking skills, and find out ways to promote the creativity of others here; ways to provide creative spaces for those around you. This site is intended as a “creative space” for all who visit. I am not sure what direction this will take and I am sure there are many options. Whenever creativity is discussed, often a person's reaction is to say, "Oh, I'm not creative. I can't draw or paint and I am not artistic in the least." Creativity goes well beyond the arts to science, business, medicine, and many other areas of human endeavor. So, I guess that the awareness factor is a first step for anyone wishing to develop his or her own creativity. So how are you creative?