How to use this toolkit
This toolkit is arranged in three main sections, with a number of subsections. You can move between each section using the navigation bar at the bottom of your screen. Once you have finished a section, there will be prompts at the bottom of the screen to move you on to the next section.
Section One - Welcome
This first section offers a few definitions and principles related to creativity and information around creative skillsets already the University of Exeter. We'd also suggest looking at our Project Planning Canvas tool which can be used in parallel with this online resource help to structure your project.
Section Two - Planning
The second section focuses on planning, and has three parts:
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Purpose – what do you want to achieve?
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People – who do you want to reach? What is the impact?
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Practitioners – how do you want to engage? What kind of creative practice are you considering?
Section Three - Delivery
The third section focuses on delivery, and addresses many of the practical details, including:
- Generating outputs such as exhibitions, events, and workshops
- Commissioning creative practitioners
- Finance and budgeting
- Evaluation
- Communications and engagement
- Copyright in the arts
We appreciate that people using this resource will be coming with varying levels of experience, and at varying stages in the project planning process. The modular structure means you can follow the resource from beginning to end, or skip to the parts that meet your specific needs. You can do this by using the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.
We also understand that we can't always be 'online'. With this in mind, we've created the ability for you to continue using information from the toolkit offline by creating downloadable pdf versions of each of the pages. You can add any page from the toolkit to your own personalised pack. Here's how:
Never worked with creatives before?
Looking for something specific?
The Arts and Culture Team are available to discuss your ideas at any point in this process. We are also open to partnering on research bids. Contact us on artsandculture@exeter.ac.uk if you would like to discuss this further. This resource is designed to supplement our support across the University.
Section One - Welcome
Let's get started. What do we mean by creativity?
Creativity is a loaded word, with potentially positive or negative connotations depending on your prior experience. We like the following definition, borrowing from the Columbus Museum of Art (US):
"Creativity is the PROCESS of using IMAGINATION and CRITICAL THINKING to generate new ideas that have VALUE."
Definition of Creative Practitioner
The term ‘creative practitioner’ encompasses all artforms, spanning literature, visual arts (eg. print-making, photography), performance (eg. drama, dance), moving image (eg. film), craft & design.
We are not saying that only creative practitioners are creative. Creativity is a fundamental part of the human experience and is available to everyone. Working alongside creative practitioners is a great way of catalysing the creativity inherent in other disciplines and research methods.
Creative practitioners have specific knowledge, skills and experience in creative processes, and collaborations thrive in the spirit of professional exchange. We see the benefits flowing in both directions, as different world views come together and new ideas spark off each other.
Creative skillsets across the University of Exeter
Strategy 2030
Strategy 2030 makes reference to creativity in 'How We Will Work (Collaboratively) and our Values (Discovery). For more information visit the Strategy 2030 webpage.
Creative Skillsets Across the University: University of Exeter, Business School
University of Exeter, School of Education
P.S. We'd love to hear your feedback on this new online resource. Fill in a short survey to help inform its development ->
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