Art is Good For Your Day Job

Abstract

In this 3 hour workshop, librarians Ann Kardos and Thea Atwood will introduce their research on creativity and how practicing art, even for 20 minutes once a week, changes your brain and allows you to approach problem-solving in new ways. In particular, the ability to create and think imaginatively with library workers in different roles will be highlighted. Workshop participants will then practice being creative on their own: both through a community-created project and with small individual projects, using common (and inexpensive) tools (cardstock, butcher block paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils, watercolor, tempura paint sticks). Activities are meant to be welcoming and foster our innate creativity. Participants will take home a small set of supplies to help foster collaboration and creativity at work.