What is Creativity?

Sometimes I think of Creativity as a little dude who lives in your head. He always carries around a musical instrument that looks a lot like a tambourine, but sounds like a symphony orchestra. He can conjure up an enormous mural of the entire state of Wisconsin just by poking his head out the window and looking at a tree. He can make a computer out of coat-hangers, and a chocolate mousse out of one brown bean. He can turn a piece of cloth into a hot outfit, a clammy patch of dirt into a bedspread of blooms that goes on for miles. But he won't do any of this for nothing! You have to feed him at all times. Don't ever forget to feed him, okay? - Marilyn L. Taylor, Wisconsin Poet Laureate

Being a teenager my life is influenced by music. So in the process I've met a lot of good friends in different places of the world. One of which noticed that I liked to edit pictures, and I was good doing it. So for an assignment in his class he asked me to make him multiple CD covers for the music he edits. His class was astounded by my creativeness, and even printed a couple covers to hang up in their room. I love being creative - I think it brings out the best of me, and helps me express who I am, without feeling selfish. - Shannon Gardner  

I believe that creativity is an expression of how we think and what we do with what we think. As someone who was not born with "artistic talents" i.e. drawing, writing, singing, etc.; I still believe I am creative in that I look at life, life's events and daily interactions openly (or at least try to). Creativity means being able to look at events from multiple points of view and multiple points of meaning. This heightened awareness of multiple options and possibilities opens up more avenues for decision making and opportunities. I think everyone has the potential to be creative. - Jill McDermott

Being unique. Standing out from others. Solving problems in unconventional ways. Trying new things and being spontaneous. Saying or doing things that are not expected. Being "colorful" in appearance, language, actions. I try to have my own style in appearance and in decorating my home by putting colors together that are not typical and using unique accent pieces. I try to use humor to diffuse or enhance a situation. I like to use descriptive words in my writing to create a visual for the reader. - Anonymous

Creativity is taking the Creator's gifts and forming them into a " one of a kind " expression. Each of us is capable of being unique, all we lack is the confidence to do so. Once that confidence is gained, we will be fulfilling God's work. - Dick Woppert

Creativity can be spontaneous or carefully orchestrated. Creativity is the catalyst for progressing an otherwise menial or mundane activity into a fun, engaging, and often meaningful experience. I'm wouldn't define myself as "creative". However, I have an innate ability to recognize and appreciate this admirable trait in others. - P.J. McGuire

To me, as it relates to teaching, creativity is taking an activity, presentation, or idea and adding a twist to it; perhaps to make it more interesting or just to have a little fun with it. One example would be to sing or act out instructions instead of using a regular speaking voice. - Anonymous