The creative process
Let me first say that I am not formally trained as an artist, and hesitate to call myself an artist, as I know MANY people infinitely more talented than myself. People who are actually genius in their abilities to create moving, compelling, thoughtful and inspiring works. But as I have helped guide the creation of 10+ community projects that are centered around art, I suppose people may think I am an artist : ) I consider the “art” within these projects as the actual weaving together of people from the community, and empowering them to find THEIR inner artist, and therein lies what my strength is likely to be.
That being said, how is an artist qualified to be a mayor, you may ask? And you’d be wise to ask that! I have asked myself that. And I have decided:
For one, and most obvious, in recent history, our presidential elections have confirmed that you need absolutely NO political experience to be elected.
But more importantly, an artist has a unique qualification to lead, which is knowledge and employment of the Creative Process.
The creative process is five steps. Preparation (or idea generation), incubation, illumination, evaluation, and verification. When in the preparation stage, the ability to brainstorm is required. And in order to properly brainstorm, there is a period of time where all ideas need to be considered, as many ideas as possible need to be generated (ideally engaging diverse groups of people, rather than like-minded peers, for variety) and the number one rule…nobody gets to shut it down by saying NO to an idea. Nobody is the boss of the creative process.
There is time, later in the process, to evaluate which ideas may fit best with the needs of the project or issue. But to start with, there must be a general respect and trust, in order to find solutions.
AND THIS IS WHERE OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM IS TERRIBLY BROKEN. Not only do we not listen to good ideas from the “other” side…sometimes, just to spite the other side, we try to throw away a good idea, so it does not succeed!
The creative process, on the other hand, is not binary. That is to say, artists do not look at things as “right” or “wrong”, and the creative process itself explores all points of view. Sometimes in the exploration, you discover a perspective you had not initially know about.
In a world where things are BLACK AND WHITE, and RIGHT AND WRONG, and US AND THEM, this is a refreshing change. There is not an ending to this process, mostly just twists and turns, as things are learned. Sometimes you “finish” a project, but you will always learn from it, and it will inform your next endeavor. A work of art almost always gives way to another work of art, inspired by the lessons learned from the previous experience. We learn from mistakes, and grow and change and evolve as needed.
Those engaged in art, and the process are also uniquely vulnerable. Their very heart and soul are shared openly for the whole world to see, and critique. The practice of art is not for the faint of heart. But there is a tremendous freedom in admitting your vulnerability, and letting people know you need them and are willing to learn from them.
All of the linear, factual, administrative things necessary to run a municipality can be learned, or can be gleaned from those experienced professionals who are serving as administrators, councilors, lawyers. I am now reading 45 pages of the state law in regards to running a city. It is not hard to understand, just a matter of reading and remembering.
But if you are an adult, and have not come up in the creative process, and are not well versed in it…well, it is a much harder thing to learn, especially if you do not see the value in the very
fluid, forgiving, enriching and engaging nature of it.
We’d be hard pressed to find a politician right now who does, and we desperately need it.
So…Artists for President! (And Liz M for Mayor)
