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?