What's Your Favorite Arts Destination?

American Style Magazine wants to know which US cities have the best contemporary art scenes. Each year, the magazine lets readers select their top arts destination in the United States.

This year they are even giving a $500 travel certificate to one lucky voter.

Votes must be in by January 31, 2009.

• Vote Now!

2009 Creativity Events

Last year, I posted about creativity retreats, where you could learn a new craft, art form or delve into your artistic passion.

This year, thanks to the International Forum of Creativity Organizations, you can explore all the facets of creativity from:

1. Problem Solving


2. Innovation in Management


3. World Future
   

• Check out the entire IFCO list for 2009.

European Year of Creativity and Innovation

This year marks the beginning of a celebration of creativity and innovation in Europe. Just launched this week in Prague, the goal is:

"to raise awareness of importance of creativity and innovation for personal, social and economic development, to disseminate good practices, stimulate education and research, and promote policy debate and development."

The year will address a variety of issues around creativity and innovation including:

• fostering artistic and other forms of creativity through pre-school, primary and secondary education including vocational streams, as well as non-formal and informal education
• cultural diversity as a source of creativity and innovation
• promoting innovation as the route to sustainable development
• regional and local development strategies based on creativity and innovation

Several conferences and events are planned throughout Europe during 2009 to spark discussions on creativity and innovation and to promote its benefits.

• Learn more about the EU's Year of Creativity and Innovation

When Are You Most Creative?

So, when is your most creative time? I've discovered that mine is at night. More like the middle of the night. I've found that I do my best thinking and come up with more ideas when I wake up in the middle of the night. It's not then that the ideas percolate, but rather during the time that I am tossing and turning, trying to get back to sleep.

In the past, like most people, I would lie awake worrying. But then last year, I started to use that time more productively. I began actively focusing on ideas I was working through and that's when the real creativity started.

I've come up with some of my best ideas during this time. And of course, I get up and jot down notes, because I know that once morning comes, they might be gone for good.

• Try this fun quiz to see when other people are at their most creative.

How to Think Creatively

(Margan Zajdowicz image)

It's a skill that all of us use, yet a skill all of us could probably improve. Thinking creatively can help us not only create art but guide us through our daily lives. That's why I love this list of 50 Ways to Think Creatively.

Here are my favorites from the list:

1. Be curious - wonder about things
2. Surround yourself with diverse types of people
3. Live in terms of exploration and discovery, not just solutions or right answers
4. Use visual, metaphorical and analogical thinking - not just analytical
5. Embrace, rather than avoid, ambiguity as an essential part of the creative process

Plus some that I plan to explore and experiment with in the new year:

1. Take improv theater classes to feel more comfortable creating in real time
2. Use different types of music in the background while thinking
3. Surround yourself with life-giving and inspiring people, images and objects
4. Meditate - cultivate presence and mindfulness
5. Give your Creative Self space, time and attention

• What are your favorite ways to think creatively?

Keeping a Visual Journal

(Karen Blados Image)

One of things that I am not too good at is keeping a journal. When I have tried to keep one, it usually lasts no more than a few months at a time. That's why I am so impressed with people who are diligent at documenting their lives and even more so with those who keep a visual journal.

This article on local artist/designer Karen Blados gave me new hope and inspiration that even I could start a visual journal. I think I will add this to my list of things I want to try to incorporate into my creative practice in 2009.

• Start your own visual journal today!

Looking for Inspiration?

Writing prompts? Project starters? Story beginnings? and other random idea generators?

• Try the Imagination Prompt Generator!