Unlocking creative skills for the youth

Creativity is the ability to make something new, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form – says Britannica. It is the ability to generate new ideas and find interesting ways to solve complex problems by using imagination. So, when children put color on a blank page, their whole world shape shifts to another dimension in their imagination. They start visualizing a world without its physical limits, which helps them see things in a completely new light and find out solutions using a unique approach. It also helps their mental health and urges them to question the working of things around them.  

According to the American Art Therapy Association, practicing creative works may decrease anxiety, feelings of anger and depression. The process of doing something creative can also enhance cognitive abilities, foster greater self-awareness and help students regulate their emotions. As an illustration, there are many children who are socially shy and introvert but when engaging with artistic tasks, they get to express themselves freely and discover a 'safe' space through their arts. Moreover, there are plenty of research that also connects creativity and artistic ventures with the cognitive improvement in the youths.

According to one research published on Frontiers in Neuroscience, learning music improves verbal memory, second language pronunciation accuracy, reading ability and executive functions in youth. Hence, through artistic endeavors, children can develop their emotional health, cognitive capacities and other skills like resilience and a growth mindset which enables them to master their craft as well perform better academically.  

Likewise, as creative works is inherently connected with culture, children involving with any form of arts get drawn into a relatively complex and multifaceted endeavor that may combine many subjects like history, language, culture and philosophy. For instance, to give an inspired performance of Shakespeare, one must understand the social, cultural and historical events of that particular time. 

According to ED WEEK, exposure to the different forms of arts also affects the values of young people, making them more tolerant and empathetic. This indicates that creativity has the power to create awareness of different people, places, and ideas through the arts as well as helps them appreciate and accept the differences they find in the broader world. 

Furthermore, creative skills can also help today’s youth to nonviolently fight against many social injustices, dogmas, prejudices and stigmas to overcome prejudices, by creating different types of art form – like music, acting, writing or painting.  

Although, the practice of turning your creative skills into your career fuel is often frowned upon, there is no denying that art and artists shall sustain in the long run – like it always have. From writing to 3D modeling, there are many professions that pay the bills and simultaneously enable someone to live a fulfilling life. 

Besides, in today’s business environment, creativity applies to everyone. All the corporations that win in these challenging times have creativity as a major priority at all levels of their organizational chart.

According to The World Economic Forum by 2025, creativity will be one of the most essential skills employers will be looking for. Apart from being a freelancer, in today’s challenging world almost all the organizations are looking for young resources who can “think outside the box” and come up with genuinely creative solutions that ensure relevant and sustainable development.  

Every child is gifted with the seed of creativity. And the role of academia is critical to bring out the best of the youth’s creativity. Academies and institutions can motivate the young artists to develop their creative skills by giving them platform to showcase their artistic endeavors and by exposing them to the contemporary talents in the field. 

For instance, DPS STS School Dhaka recently announced two open-for-all 'DPS STS Art Competition' to showcase their creativity. Many children accompanied by their parents participated in the competition with great enthusiasm. If more educational institutions in Bangladesh take inspiration from such arrangements to initiate such events for youths, it shall not be impossible to produce a generation of great creative minds.     

Dr Shivananda CS is the principal of DPS STS School