Creativity

The Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA) define Creativity as:

"First, they [the characteristics of Creativity] always involve thinking or behaving imaginatively. Second, overall this imaginative activity is purposeful: that is, it is directed to achieving an objective. Third, these processes must generate something original. Fourth, the outcome must be of value in relation to the objective."

The focus shifted to Creativity with the Robinson report "All our futures".
A number of agencies and organisations have been working on the creativity issue since, including a partnership of the National Union of Teachers and the National Campaign for the Arts that has resulted in a number of high-profile national conferences and publications.
Creativity is making its way up the school agenda.
The emphasis is moving from the Creative Arts, towards a more general idea of Creativity based on creative thinking applicable across all curriculum areas.
The Primary National Strategy calls for creativity in teaching.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) provides a section on Creativity in the National Curriculum in Action website. This is part of the (QCA) "Creativity Across the Curriculum" project.
Local Authorities (LAs) are looking to encourage Creativity across all curriculum areas, but especially in Literacy.
Creativity is no longer just about art and craft activities.

Why is Creativity Relevant to Museums?

Creativity is an LA priority and is becoming a priority area of development for many schools.
It is an area in which schools are looking for support.
The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) report "Expecting the unexpected" emphasised that schools need to work with external creative people and organisations.
Schools looking to improve their Creativity will be open to possible partnerships.
Children need stimuli to be creative. These may include objects or buildings that stimulate expressive responses, but may also include difficult, real-life problems that require creative thinking to solve. Partner learning providers can offer these.

What is Creative Partnerships?

A flagship initiative through the Arts Council jointly funded by DCSF and the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS).
Works with schools in specified areas where social inclusion is an issue.
Aims to promote Creativity in learning, school partnerships with creative organisations and increased access to high-quality cultural activities.

How to Take This Forward

All LEAs provide Continuing Professional Development programmes for their teachers. These may include courses on Creativity that could be useful networking opportunities.
LEA Literacy Consultants or Primary Strategy Managers are good first contacts for an overview of where your LEA is heading with creativity.
Check the Creative Partnerships website to see if there is a Creative Partnership near you. They may already be working with museums or other organisations.

Downloads

The files below which are PDFs (Portable Document Format) need Adobe Reader to be viewed.

Museums as Launchpads for Creativity (PDF, 222Kb)

Stitch in Time (Portsmouth Museums and Record Service. Word DOC, 41Kb).

Museums, Libraries and Archives South East (MLA South East) case study Write on Fareham (Word DOC,495Kb, Westbury Manor Museum).

MLA South East case study Learning How (Word DOC, 469Kb,Roald Dahl Museum).

Useful Websites

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Pallant House Gallery

National Curriculum in Action information on creativity in schools.

Creative Partnerships.

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