Feeding the Starving Artist
Written by Rick Goodstein and Ron McCurdy
Can You Teach Creativity?
There are ongoing debates if you can teach a young (or old) artist or musician creativity. We do agree that creativity is an essential skill for both professional and student artists. Using the definition that “creativity is the ability to generate new and original ideas, solve problems, and approach tasks in unique ways,” we can begin to think about how to teach and enhance creativity.
Creativity is a critical skill for success in many fields. There is evidence that employers in corporate America value potential employees who have arts training in their background. Problem solving is one of the most important skills someone can obtain, and creativity is a must. Consequently, regardless of a students’ intention to pursue an arts career, training in the arts will serve every student well.
7 Ways to Teach Creativity
It is not easy to teach creativity and requires a different approach from traditional teaching methods. We have identified several strategies for teaching creativity to ponder:
1. Encourage Risk-Taking
Creativity involves taking risks and trying new things. As a teacher, it is essential to create a safe and supportive environment that encourages students to take risks and make mistakes. Encourage your students to try new things, think outside the box, and challenge themselves. When students are afraid to fail, they are less likely to take risks, and their creativity will suffer.
2. Foster an Open Mindset
An open mindset is crucial for creativity. Teachers should encourage their students to embrace different perspectives, challenge their assumptions, and explore alternative solutions. Create an environment where students feel free to express their ideas and opinions, and where everyone’s contributions are valued. It is imperative that teachers avoid criticizing or dismissing ideas, even if they seem unconventional.
3. Provide Opportunities for Collaboration
Collaboration is an excellent way to foster creativity. When students work together, they can bounce ideas off one another, offer feedback, and approach problems from different angles. As a teacher, you can provide opportunities for group work and collaboration. Encourage students to work in teams, and assign tasks that require them to share their ideas and collaborate to find solutions.
4. Emphasize the Process, Not Just the Outcome
Creativity is not just about the end result; it is also about the process. Encourage your students to focus on the process of creating and problem-solving, rather than just the end pro duct. Help them understand that creativity involves trial and error, experimentation, and revision and that failure is a common by-product. Emphasize the importance of perseverance and encourage them to keep trying even when they encounter obstacles.
5. Provide Creative Challenges
To foster creativity, you need to provide your students with creative challenges. These challenges should be open-ended, allowing for multiple solutions and interpretations. Encourage your students to think outside the box and come up with unconventional solutions. These challenges can be in the form of brainstorming sessions, writing prompts, or creative projects.
6. Use Brainstorming Techniques
Brainstorming is an excellent way to generate creative ideas. This is the “What If” exercise we have previously written about. There are many brainstorming techniques you can use in your classroom, such as mind mapping, free-writing, or word association. These techniques can help students generate a large number of ideas quickly and without judgment. Encourage your students to share their ideas, even if they seem silly or unconventional.
7. Encourage Reflection
Reflection is an important part of the creative process. Encourage your students to reflect on their ideas, their problem-solving strategies, and their learning process. This reflection can be in the form of writing, journaling, or group discussions. Help your students understand that reflection can help them improve their creativity and their overall learning experience. It is critical that teachers establish a “safe” environment where students can share ideas.
We believe that teaching creativity is an essential skill for both students and teachers. As teachers, experimenting with some of the methods above can provide new avenues to teach creativity as well as provide new lesson plans and classroom/rehearsal methods. For students, we encourage you to ask your teachers for lessons in creativity. The power of the student voice is powerful, and you can ask for more from your teachers.
Regardless of how these strategies come to fruition, you can develop a better notion of creativity and become more successful in every aspect of their lives.