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. ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2437/5260 - Release Date: 09/10/12 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).