Yesterday I came across a very important opinion piece on the critical importance of creativity in all areas of the economy as well as in our cultural lives. You should read it.
It struck a chord with me for two reasons. I've long encouraged businesses to get an imaginative writer on their payroll or partner list. Writing is so much more than decent grammar; it's about capturing and communicating ideas, painting pictures, and persuading prospects with personality and vibrancy. It's a core business skill whatever industry you're in.
We've also been working with a charity whose raison d'etre is to help children and young people develop and sustain their creativity. They're called The Mighty Creatives and they are an inspiring bunch pf people. For them, firing creativity in young people isn't just a way to occupy them for a day; it's about equipping them to take on the challenges that they, and all of us, will face as the world gets more complex and the challenges get more profound. We need people with ideas, independent thinkers with the courage to go with their own answers to the issues they come up against.
Creativity isn't a nice-to-have. It's fundamental, and we should value and encourage it.