A New Creativity Agenda, Part 2

Abstract

HOW MIGHT WE SHAPE a New Creativity Agenda that offers a creativity lens for transformation? How might a creativity lens advance or accelerate regeneration aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Agenda 2030? Drawing from art, science and technology, a creativity lens reveals new ways to see and reimagine systems, networks and ideas. This is the lens of Leonardo’s network of networks. Applied to SDGs, a Creativity Lens encourages ingenuity, cross-sector collaboration and innovative strategies needed to solve complex problems of sustainability.Modeled after the gender lens and sustainable investing movements, a Creativity Lens articulates new success factor criteria previously undervalued, overlooked, or overtly dismissed. Gender lens [1] asserts that gender-based issues of equity, equality, access and inclusion should be considered as investment priorities, often indicating more effective strategies across asset classes and industries. Sustainable investing [2], which considers environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investment strategies, now constitutes one-third of all U.S.-based assets under management [3]. A Creativity Lens would examine how SDG-focused or aligned activities from any sector incorporate hybrid, cross-cutting creative practices or perspectives.As the SDGs intend to provide a roadmap rather than a fixed course, a Creativity Lens can augment that roadmap with new routes, visualization, provocation, empathy, critical inquiry and beauty. A Creativity Lens is not merely a translation device to illustrate, communicate or popularize the Goals; it is a filter through which we better assess progress and design strategies for regeneration and sustainable development. Vibrant creative sectors and integrated art practices generate qualitative and quantifiable value correlated with key areas of the SDGs: healthy people, community and society, economic growth and development; increased social equity and access.Because SDGs are interconnected and interdependent, let’s consider clusters of goals together as they intersect with creativity introducing a relationship between the 2030 Agenda for SDGs and a New Creativity Agenda. Connecting creative practices to the SDGs lays the groundwork for a Creativity Lens.These Goals intersect with Creative Economy, creative industries, workforce development, the future of work, embedding creatives across all industries.Food, health, water are frequent themes attracting attention of bioart and ecoart movements. Public and community arts are vital to the health and well-being of individuals and communities.Social needs and justice are supported by democratizing arts, science and tech sectors. These goals are supported by radical access as creative practice, artistic freedom, free expression.These goals intersect with urban and industrial design, ecoart and circular economy innovation.Creatives continue to lead movements of ecoart and land art; bioart and biodiversity; Ocean MemoryWhile creativity intersects with all SDGs, “Partnerships” align most directly with Leonardo. Working together with creative individuals, institutions and industries across the Leosphere, Leonardo leads a transformational partnership platform [4]. Our creativity “network of networks” mobilizes breakthrough ideas to inspire and implement initiatives across all SDGs. Leonardo’s partnership platform serves to: