Deb, 

This was great!  I particularly concur with #3 !!!   It works!

I would add:  7.A.  Invite 2 or 3 knowledgeable people who you know you
'spark' with --people who don't always have to be right or showing off their
knowledge  -- just people with whom you have enjoyed 'give and take'
conversations. Sit down at the local pub over lemonade or something stronger
and just let the ideas roll.

Lucy

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Deb Fuller
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 11:40 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] What methods or training opportunities exist for
expanding creative skillsets in the realm of exhibition development?

Creativity is a mindset, not something you can turn on and off. You
also have to be in a creative environment, which values creativity in
order for it to flourish. If your ideas are constantly being dismissed
or redesigned for something more "conventional", you will not be as
creative.

That being said, things you can do to be more "creative":

1. Turn off the computer. Studies have shown that creativity happens
away from the computer screen.
2. Design or plan using paper and pencils, white boards, easel paper,
scratch paper, or anything else non-electronic. There's a reason why
many authors still write their first drafts out by hand. It allows
them to think.
3. Daydream and let your mind wander. Most of my best ideas come in
the shower when I'm decompressing for the day or while mindlessly
driving.
4. Collect things that you find interesting and put them in a "design
morgue". Like an ad, piece of art, or an exhibit brochure? Start a
folder of things you like. Don't even organize it. When you are
looking for ideas, rummage through your design morgue and you'd be
surprised at what pops out at you.
5. Take up a hobby. Make sure you do something else with your life
outside of work.
6. Read. Read trade journals. Read for pleasure. Read crappy romance
novels. Never quit reading. Keep your mind active.
7. Hang out with other creative people; they don't even have to be in
your field. Creative people encourage creativity.
8. Collaborate and ask other people for their opinions. Other people
might not have the answer but their ideas might lead to other ideas
which work.
9. Realize that you can't be creative all the time. Sometimes it's
okay to be normal.

Hope this helps!!

Deb Fuller



On Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 2:23 PM, Solhan, Christyna <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I'm a young museum professional working in the Office of Exhibits at the
> Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in DC. As I look toward my
> own professional development as an exhibit developer and project manager,
> I've been trying to find ways of improving and expanding my own level of
> creativity with regard to developing exhibitions.

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