Creativity World Forum

Oklahoma is hosting the Creativity World Forum in November. I have been reading up on it, and it looks like it is going to be quite an amazing event with some incredible speakers!

Today on twitter, Sir Ken Robinson (who is speaking at the event) tweeted a video 'trailer' for the forum.

It filled me with some extra energy and inspiration, which is always a nice thing on a Friday afternoon.

Check it out HERE!

I am very excited about our own symposium/conference/forum...(we still need a name)....and think it is going to be so good for Muskoka!!

Have a beautiful long weekend.
-- Becky :)

CBC P.E.I

The CBC recently reported on a story about the need for a post-secondary arts school in Prince Edward Island.

"Like many industries on the Island, the arts suffer from young talent moving away to work in other places. Peggy Reddin of Dance Umbrella has been teaching dance for 25 years, and she told CBC News Tuesday that too often she has to watch her students leave the Island if they want to study beyond high school."

Muskoka is in the very same boat, I think.

As Greg Doran, the Chair of the Arts Council of P.E.I said - "If you provide a cultured area, you will draw people to work here."

Read the rest of the story HERE!!

-- Becky :)

Creativity workshop!

CREATIVE PATHS PRESENTS:

A creativity workshop with local singer/songwriter Ruth Cassie for TEENS!!

Tuesday, August 3rd
12 - 1:00 p.m.
Huntsville Public Library
Library Solarium

Register: Call 705-789-5232 or go to the Circulation Desk in the library

TEENS ONLY!

Do not miss out on this exciting opportunity to spend some time with the AMAZINGLY talented Ruth Cassie!

Spread the word!

Kaleidoscope.

“Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones that everyone else see, but then you reassemble those floating bits and pieces into an enticing new possibility." -- Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Happy Friday!

-- Becky :)

Skills Map for the Arts..

Found this article about the '21st Century Skills Map for the Arts' - according to the article, the map demonstrates how the three Rs and four Cs (critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration and creativity and innovation) can be fused within arts curriculum.

They state that "A nationwide poll of registered voters reveals that Americans are deeply concerned that the United States is not preparing young people with the skills they need to compete in the global economy…”

How many Canadians are concerned that Canada is not preparing young people to compete in the global economy?

I am.

See the full article HERE!

-- Becky :)

Fad?

We were talking about Social Media in the office yesterday morning, discussing how some people are still not yet comfortable with it, or trusting of it, and are avoiding the use of it. The conversation reminded me of this video I had discovered while studying the importance of Social Media during my post-graduate studies.

It has some pretty interesting facts that should not be missed. Check it out HERE!

-- Becky :)

Most Important...

1,500 of America's top CEO's recently cited CREATIVITY as the most important leadership quality for success in business.

Yes! Thank you.

You can find details HERE.

- Becky :)

Creative Farmers?

I didn't really think much about the "farmers" until 2 or 3 years ago. I knew they existed, locally and internationally. I knew they grew fruit, vegetables, grains, and provided meat and dairy for my meals. I knew they probably worked really hard, and struggled to survive, but that didn't mean much to me until my best friend spoke up. She got involved with a group while she was studying at the University of Guelph, which eventually led her to spending a year in Nova Scotia working on an organic farm. My appreciation and understanding of the importance of farmers has changed immensely since then.

So, what does farming have to do with this blog? Well, have you ever considered that farmers have a role in the creative economy? They do.

Are people in the agricultural industry creative? Absolutely.
Are they entrepreneurial? Do they think on their toes? Are they dynamic? Is it necessary for them to look outside of the box, to be successful? Are they innovative? I think so.

There is a very common misconception that the Creative Economy relates only to ‘creative’ types - artisans, musicians, actors, dancers etc. Although those occupations also play a vital role in the Creative Economy, they aren't "it". Farmers, scientists, architects, doctors, educators - the list goes on and on.

Check out THIS article from the CBC discussing agriculture as a CREATIVE, profitable pursuit...and don't forget to support your local farmers!

-- Becky :)

The Creativity Crisis..

I found a really interesting (and long) article on the 'Creativity Crisis' in America today ...

If you find the time, you should give it a read HERE on NewsWeek!

I think the last paragraph sums up the point of the article quite well -

'Creativity has always been prized in American society, but it’s never really
been understood. While our creativity scores decline unchecked, the current
national strategy for creativity consists of little more than praying for a
Greek muse to drop by our houses. The problems we face now, and in
the future, simply demand that we do more than just hope for inspiration to strike.'

Indeed.

- Becky :)

Social Media.

How many times have you heard the words 'Social Media' in the last year? Month? Week? Day? The phrase has become a part of 'our' dialogue and it plays a highly important role in the arts, and to organizations (of all kinds).

This article, 'Geeks, Tweets, and Bums on Seats', discusses the role that social media is playing on Australia's arts community, and the positive effect it is playing on its growth and development. Please note: I saw this article on our Creative Paths Twitter. How fitting.

Now, please do not dismiss this article because it is focused on Australia (granted, Australia is on the other end of the world) but I think you would be surprised to see the similarities between the arts community in Oz and the arts community in Muskoka!

Give it a read HERE - let me know what you think...


-- Becky :)

Summer Company

Last Thursday, Dana and I were asked to attend the student entrepreneur night for 'Summer Company', put on by the Muskoka Small Business Centre at the Rotary Centre in Bracebridge.

Summer Company is a government iniative that creates exciting opportunities for enterprising students, 15 to 29 years old, by aiding them in starting and running their own summer busineses. The students are provided with hands-on mentoring from local community business leaders, as well as financial support to start up their business of choice.

I was not really sure what to expect from the evening, but when we arrived to the room in the Rotary Centre, I was blown away. There must have been at least 10 different booths set up that were displaying various creative businesses, run by young students who (mostly) had a look of pride on their faces.

We walked around to each booth and talked to the business owners about their process, and their vision. Muskoka Popcorn, The Lawn Ranger, Pizza of the Earth, Troy Glover Photography, Playin` Hookey Productions - the list goes on and on.

It was really refreshing to be in a room, surrounded by `youth`, who were passionate enough about their idea to take a chance and attempt to make some money.

The whole process of the Summer Company program really ties in well with the idea of the creative economy. You have to be willing to step outside of the box, use your mind, and create your own opportunities. It was truly awesome to see!

If you get the chance, I suggest you check out some of the students who are selling their products at the surrounding farmers markets, grab a slice at Pizza of the Earth (Dorset), or catch a performance put on by the fantastic actors of Playin` Hookey Productions (Port Carling Memorial Community Theatre - Wed & Thurs, Rosseau Memorial Community Hall - Tueedays).

-- Becky :)

First Day

It is my official first day here in the charming Bracebridge office as the Creative Paths Intern. I spent the morning brainstorming about the future of the project, receiving helpul hints about where to go in Muskoka (I am a brand new "import" from Oakville), getting up to speed on the current state of the project, and going over my own tasks. I am feeling excited, inspired and ready to get down to business with a slightly overloaded brain.

Due to the fact that I have been an official resident of Bracebridge as of this past Saturday, I realize I have a lot of learning to do about the people, the arts community, local organizations, and the region of Muskoka as a whole, but I am SO ready for the challenge.

I am very passionate about the arts, and as a person who has been positively affected by arts education, I am so thrilled to be taking a small part in the development of the creative economy in Muskoka. It is going to be quite the year!

-- Becky Conlon :)

Intern Post

As the newly appointed Creative Paths Intern, I thought I would introduce you to our project!
Creative Paths is a youth initiative helping “to expose Muskoka Secondary School students to creative career opportunities, engage them in the creative process, and increase their preparedness for integration into Muskoka's Innovative and Creative Economy”. The idea is that students get to explore other, non traditional, avenues for their futures. I, myself, was lucky enough to have been taught by some incredible local artists including Amy Bridle, Robin Clipsham, and Steve Carapiet. Their guidance helped fuel my passion for the arts, shape my “creative” mind, and, ultimately, my (very creative) route through university and college.
One of the most exciting initiatives Creative Paths has introduced is a Mentorship Program. Students are paired up with local artists in whatever artistic/innovative field that interests them, and spend a few hours a week learning from them. To date, there has been one fantastic match made, but this year we are shooting for at least 10! If you or someone you knows is interested in participating in the mentorship program, please have them contact their school’s guidance councilor or email info@creativepathsmuskoka.org for more information.
I’m currently sitting in my office, (which is located in the clock tower in downtown Bracebridge), and as I look out onto the street I can see the creative/innovative community in full swing! Unique clothing stores, boutiques, coffee shops, specialty stores, restaurants, galleries etc. line the downtown core. All of these businesses were thought up by someone who saw an opportunity, took a gamble on it, and has succeeded. Welcome to the era of Creativity!!

-- Dana Clark