Can Creativity Be Learned?
Well, it wouldn’t be much of a workshop otherwise, now would it? Seriously, the word “creativity” has been used in so many ways that the first step is to define what we’re talking about. I see two aspects to creativity, so that it is • The capacity to perceive spontaneously and respond unconventionally • The skillful expression of the self Let’s tackle the first one with some help from my good friend the Oxford American: • Capacity is “the ability or power to do, experience, or understand something.” So creativity is an ability – innate, learned or both. • Spontaneous means “performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation.” Now we are describing an ability that precedes conscious thought. • To perceive is to “become aware or conscious of.” This sharpens the focus a bit, leading us to an ability to become aware prior to thought or concept. • To respond is to “act or behave in reaction.” Now we move from inspiration, from taking in th
