What is the "Creative Campus"?

The article, "The Creative Campus: Who's No. 1?" written by Steven Tepper, originally appeared in the October 1, 2004 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education.
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/curbcenter/creativecampus
The article was highly effective in motivating many campus leaders to nurture a more creative enviroment in higher education. But the theory is only one effective motivation - how theory is turned into practice is the greater challenge. And the practice is not formulaic. In fact, the experiments in arts engagement at some campuses have challenged academic structures, traditions and authority of viable artistic or creative enterprises. In all cases, the experiments are all about engaging students in creative and artistic experiences. It's not JUST about graduating the next art major, or selling tickets to the guest artist series at the campus performing arts center. It IS that - and so much more.

This blog is not to suggest that every student become an art major. But all students should be engaged in the arts. I'll put it plainly. Every time I step on the treadmill, I don't think I'll be running the next NYC marathon. But I certainly do admire and support those who do. And I appreciate the training, discipline and achievement. Maybe if everyone tried to sing in public - they'd REALLY understand the same for professional singers? What if campuses did the same for arts engagement as offered for physical activity? Both are vital to personal development - both are up to the individual student to discover.

This blog will discuss some of the Best Practices of the Creative Campus movement. Examples from a variety of campuses will be higlighted. There will also be posts dedicated to the impact of arts engagement for students post-graduation, civic engagement with the arts, and artists vs. professional amateur artist.

Bottom line: if during the college years a person discovers their passions and begins a life-long journey to change the world - wouldn't it be neat if the arts were a part of it? No matter the declared major - the arts are a part of everyone's life. Storytelling, design, sound, senses.... we are all touched by someone else's creative ideas. And every idea has a root in the arts. Just think of the chair you're sitting on right now. Yup, the arts were a part of that design. Listen to Steve Jobs' Standford 2005 commencement speech - YouTube it - oh heck, I'll save you the trouble:
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html
it's the "Connecting the dots" story...

We need to understand that a person must develop their OWN relationship to the arts, and discover how varied experiences can add to the reservoire of their own creative path. College students eventually become the next generation of work force, parents, voters, board members, patrons.... need I continue?

If creativity is built on a collection of experiences, and only understood in hindsight, it will be a sad realization that people's creative resources have be depleted because they were starved for experiences when they are in fact, so easily avaible in college.