A Creative Spirit

An Artist-in-Residency program exploring Creativity and Spirituality at the Cathedral Church of St. John

A series of workshops held in Albuquerque and open to anyone interested in Creativity

“To express creativity is not only essential to health and happiness, it’s the way we experience what it is to be alive. The creative urge lies within each one of us and manifests itself in multiple ways. As we explore the creative spirit within us, we learn something about God in whose image we are made. What a blessing to have this opportunity!”

- The Very Rev. Mark Goodman, Dean

Art of the Song host/producers John Dillon & Viv Nesbitt

In the course of producing Art of the Song Creativity Radio, we've conducted over 150 interviews with songwriters, artists and writers. Through our research, travels, and interviews, we have come to believe that there is indeed a connection between Creativity and Spirituality. We are excited to have the opportunity to explore this relationship in depth.

John & Vivian will conduct a series of workshops and discussions at the Cathedral once a month through December and weekly in 2009. A Creative Spirit will be open to members of St. John’s and to the Albuquerque community at large.

"John Dillon and Vivian Nesbitt characterize the true essence of creativity… creating from the Spirit. Their keynote address on “Creativity and Spiritual Health” was powerfully entertaining, educating, and enlightening for all in attendance."

- Dr. Kenneth Fine, MD, Higher Truth of Health Conference

The Importance of Creativity

by John Dillon

Why did we create a public radio program about creativity? Why is it important for individuals to explore and express creativity? Why is it important for corporations and governments to support creativity? Why is it important for schools to teach creativity?

Creativity is at the CORE of our humanity. It is quite literally what makes us human. It is how we can connect with our divine nature, according to author Matthew Fox. Whether we know it or not, we all have a deep need for creative expression. This doesn't mean we all have to be artists or musicians; every life can be lived in a creative way.

According to Richard Florida in his book The Rise of the Creative Class, over 38 million Americans make their living in a creative or related field. The creative class is rapidly becoming the driving force in our economy. If our society is to thrive, we need to nurture creativity in our emerging workforce. It's no wonder that professor, Jonathan Feinstein's class on "Creativity in Business" is one of the most popular classes at the Yale School of Management. According to Feinstein, successful companies like Best Buy are now recruiting potential managers who actively pursue their "outside" interests in music or art.

What is unfortunate is that by the time we reach our teen years many of us have had the creativity drummed out of us. Paul Reisler (Art of the Song show #89) spends a great deal of his time with his Kid Pan Alley program in public schools writing songs with elementary school children. He says that our schools are not teaching children to be creators, but rather, to be consumers. In his Art of the Song interview Paul says, "The creative act is the most powerful thing in the world. Everything of value in this world is made by people creating something... people having an idea, getting an image in their mind, and then creating it. And yet we're not teaching our kids how to be creative, we're teaching them the opposite." One of my most vivid (and disappointing) childhood memories is being reprimanded by Mrs. Stickler for looking out the window of my third grade class daydreaming.

So if our schools don't teach it and many in our government don't value it, where will people learn and be inspired to explore their own creativity? We are fortunate in this country to have a public broadcasting system whose mission "is to provide programs and services which inform, enlighten and enrich the public. [Public broadcasting] has particular responsibility to encourage the development of programming that involves creative risks..."

Art of the Song is a program designed to inspire listeners to find and express their unique creative voices. Journalist Bill McKibben says, "Creativity is a vexedly difficult topic to capture, but [Art of the Song] does it better than just about anything I've heard on the radio. Really, really solid... can't imagine they're not on most public radio stations."

We at Art of the Song often say that creative expression is as important as voting. It's our way of weighing in everyday and having our voices heard in the world. If, as a society, we are in tune with our creative selves, we will be better able to solve the day to day problems that confront us, and better able to make decisions that will enhance the quality of life on this planet for us and for future generations.

"Thank you for giving us permission to express our vocal and musical passion. Your courage and willingness to be open and follow the flow was brilliant!"

- Laura Lynne Dyer, recent participant