INDICATORS OF CREATIVITY IN CULTURAL POLICY
Creativity is an important aspect of cultural development, and cultural policies have a crucial role in nurturing and encouraging creativity in various forms. It is important to note that measuring creativity can be difficult due to the subjective and intangible nature of human expression. However, various methods and approaches have been utilised by researchers and practitioners to evaluate creativity in this field.
Standard methods for evaluation of creativity in cultural policy are:
- A commonly used approach is to engage experts in the relevant cultural field to assess the creative works. Experts can be artists, curators, critics, or academics with extensive knowledge and experience in the field. They can provide qualitative evaluations and rate the level of creativity in various aspects of the work.
- In academic and artistic circles, peer review is a common practice for evaluating creativity. Peers, usually fellow artists or researchers, review and offer feedback on creative work, assessing its originality, innovation, and impact.
- Other methods include self-assessment tools (such as Creative Achievement Questionnaires). They measure an individual's creative accomplishments in a particular cultural domain. They usually inquire about the person's creative works, awards, recognition, and influence on the field.
- Observational methods can also be used. Researchers can use observational methods to evaluate creative behaviour in cultural activities and assess the level of originality and innovation in the actions and expressions of the participants.
- Longitudinal studies provide insights into creative development by following artists or creators over time and analysing the evolution of their works.
- When assessing creativity, it is also important to consider how cultural works affect society, audience engagement, and cultural change. One way to measure this socio-cultural impact is by examining audience reactions, media coverage, and societal responses to the work.
Indicators commonly used in evaluating creativity include:
- The volume and diversity of artistic and cultural productions, such as exhibitions, performances, concerts, literary works, and other creative expressions.
- The number and quality of innovative projects and initiatives that explore new forms of expression.
- The backing for cultural entrepreneurship, which encourages creative individuals to develop sustainable businesses in the cultural and creative industries.
- The financial support allocated to creative projects, artists, and cultural organisations.
- The availability and accessibility of spaces dedicated to fostering creativity, such as artist residencies, co-working spaces, and maker studios.
- The number of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property registrations that demonstrate the level of innovation and creativity in the cultural field.
- The extent of collaborations and partnerships between creative organisations, artists, and other stakeholders, leading to a collaborative and innovative culture.
- The number of awards, honours, and international recognition received by artists and cultural institutions from that region can serve as an indicator of the region's creativity and influence on the global stage.
(PC, ITK)