Creativity: It’s Not What You May Think
by Ariel Holcomb
Many people understand creativity as a talent or gift that some people have and others just don’t.
This is great, if you happen to be someone who has the gift, but what about the rest of us? Does that mean we can’t create? Does that mean art is a waste of time for some? And what do we do when some members of our family are creative and others are not?
First, you read this blog.
Because here at ARTistic Pursuits we experience creativity in a vastly different way. That’s because creativity is NOT a gift or a talent that some people can use while others just don’t have what it takes. If it has been your understanding that creativity is a talent bestowed on some and not on others, let go of it for a moment. Brace yourself for a fresh and freeing perspective, without all the labels.
Creativity is actually an abstract problem-solving skill.
That’s right. Skill.
The wonderful thing about skills is that EVERYONE can learn them! The people who use a specific skill get better at it than people that don’t.
It’s just that simple.
This is GREAT NEWS for anyone who thought they weren’t creative. It’s a breath of fresh air for the sibling who feels like they can’t draw just because big sister is an artist. Understanding creativity as an abstract problem-solving skill is a game changer for home educators because ALL of our students need to be able to solve abstract problems and WE need a way to teach them how.
An abstract problem is simply any problem that has multiple solutions. It doesn’t have a right or wrong, and it’s probably the first time an individual has been faced with it. Entrepreneurs have abstract problems. Scientists have abstract problems. Mothers and Fathers have abstract problems. Managers have abstract problems. Children on the playground have abstract problems. They all need to able to think and analyze creatively. They need to see the big picture and all the moving pieces in it. They need skills like focus, confidence, and perseverance. THAT is creativity. THAT is why we make art education accessible and simple for everyone.
So before we label some people as artists and excuse everyone else from art class because they just don’t have the gift, remember this: art education empowers all people to learn the abstract problem solving skill of creativity.
Creativity is not what you may think, but it IS a learnable, enjoyable, and useful skill for every one of your students: no matter what they want to be when they grow up.