October 2018 sees the launch of the Creativity Everything lab, founded by David Gauntlett, FCAD’s new Tier I Canada Research Chair. As the name suggests, Creativity Everything takes a deliberately broad and inclusive approach to creativity, connecting ideas from a range of disciplines, and seeking to embrace a diverse range of creators and creative practices.
The work of Creativity Everything includes three core themes:
(1) Platforms for creativity – to explore how best to support the development and exchange of ideas and innovation;
(2) Creative identities and leadership – to research new and diverse models of leadership and inspiration;
(3) Public understanding of creative practice – to develop new ways of engaging wider audiences with these issues.
The first of these is primarily about developing ‘platforms for creativity’, which can be any kind of tool, environment or event, online or offline, which fosters creative practice. The second one is about building diversity and inspiring role models in maker cultures. The third theme is all about public engagement and sharing exciting ideas about creativity with everybody.
In the few months of its existence, Creativity Everything has produced: a book, Making is Connecting – Second Edition (Polity, 2018); four videos; a drawing project; a report on social entrepreneurs for Ashoka and the LEGO Foundation; talks and workshops at the Power Plant, Maker Festival, Toronto libraries, and Montreal Maker Faire; a manifesto; and a collaboration with Artscape Launchpad to support digital creators.