Re-thinking creativity

Creativity is not a quality limited to the minority but a trait that can be acquired and a force that has the power to boost the economy and stimulate society. The chairman of the Foundation for Creativity at St James' Cavalier, MICHAEL FENECH, tells CLAUDIA CALLEJA all about this.

Countries are today realising that the creation and management of knowledge can be an economic asset as important as natural resources were in traditional economies.

A world characterised by ongoing, pervasive change needs a new mind-set. It can no longer be concerned just with mechanical thought and production. The weight has shifted to creativity. Imagination and innovation are the new requisites for economic success.

Promoting creativity is the main raison d'etre of the Foundation for Creativity at St James' Cavalier.

Chairman Michael Fenech suggests that creativity is more than a "high" for an "elite" few. On the contrary, he sees creativity as one of the possible paths to economic success in a country that notoriously lacks natural resources.

"We speak about investing in our only real resource - the human resource - so naturally I see this as a commitment to invest in developing a populace that is creative, innovative and that takes initiatives.

"Creativity is not about being hit by a bolt of lightning bringing divine inspiration. It is more of an attitude, a frame of mind. One must work hard at it. The Maltese people do work hard at what they like or believe in. Very often what is lacking is the support structure, possibly because we still live in a tradition-bound and conservative society.

"Yet, our students and businessmen leave our shores and do extremely well abroad, often as innovators" Mr Fenech said.

Is this "traditionalist society" scaring creative people and pushing them to look for opportunities overseas? Is this leading to a local creativity drought? Mr Fenech thinks otherwise.

He believes that people should be encouraged to travel outside of Malta, to look for new ways of doing things, to try out new lifestyles, to learn and get a taste of what's available. This means there is a temporary brain drain. But it should not stop there.

"If we create a dynamic, exciting environment in Malta, I believe we can turn the situation upside down and turn the brain drain into a brain gain. If Malta is an exciting place to which our 'brains' can return, they will come back with a wider spectrum of knowledge, ideas and attitude," Mr Fenech said.

What can be done to make Malta that exciting place that irresistibly beckons for a return?

"Obviously, being chairman of St James I am biased," Mr Fenech joked, "but I truly believe that the Centre for Creativity can do a lot.

"There is a lot happening at the centre but the truth is that the resources at St James are stretched to the limit. The centre needs more resources to continue functioning to the required level.

"The Centre for Creativity is not just a building. It is not a museum. It is meant to support the creative process, which often is not immediately tangible. We would like to be in a position to be able to send people abroad, commission new art and launch innovative projects."

Such projects can contribute towards attracting quality tourism. For example, he said, the lunch time concerts at the church of St Catherine of Italy, in Valletta, are full of tourists who simply happen to be walking by the recently refurbished chapel. Funds raised through this initiative go for the renovation of the interior of the church.

Mr Fenech explained that apart from acting as a showcase for innovative work, St James has the important role of functioning as a support structure for the artist and artisan.

In order to do this, the centre has helped expose the artist to the contemporary art scene. It has facilitated the creation of networks. One success story is the collaboration of accomplished percussionist Renzo Spiteri and Sonic Research Group of Belfast, who are now working together.

The government talks about improving the quality of life. An important facet of the quality of life is the cultural, aesthetic aspects of our daily lives, Mr Fenech explained.

Making the arts accessible helps improve the quality of life, as well as drive the economy. Today Newcastle and Gateshead are seeing an unprecedented economic boom because a new arts centre had been built in Gateshead.

This is also possible in Malta. We are lucky because we are already, in a sense, on the tourist's trail.

"I have absolute confidence in the ability of our artists to attract audiences. We have seen this. We have a full calendar and audiences are spoilt for choice. But how often can a family attend events at Lm6 a ticket? It can't be afforded every week and the truth is it can easily be reduced."

Mr Fenech explained that producing art, such as theatre, does not pay the artist. One way how the government can help is through cutting VAT on theatre tickets. "It will not break the government's back but it will make a big difference to the individual artist."

Currently, the VAT rate on tickets stands at a flat 18 per cent rate. "In other countries, if there is VAT on theatre tickets, it's at a very reduced rate. Why should we be so different when in our case we do not even have the traffic? An artist here is lucky if he has three nights of performances."

Mr Fenech believes that Valletta has the potential to be transformed into a cultural centre

"In 2017 Valletta will be declared a cultural capital. What are we going to offer? Are we going to give Europe a new Parliament? The city, as it is, is what our ancestors left to us. What are we going to leave? Are we going to leave a copy of a copy of a façade?"

While cultural heritage is the solid base of our identity, and it is being protected, our identity also has another aspect, that of evolution. We need to look forward. This is where creativity plays a vital part.

Creativity needs to be applied to the country's economic strategy. Our future may well lie in our capacity to strengthen our creative capital.

This does not mean that only those born under the creative star are geared for success in today's world. Mr Fenech believes that creativity is not an innate attribute of a lucky minority but is a learned, practised and developed skill.

"Everyone can be creative. Creativity is a can-do attitude. It is the ability and talent to want to try, explore and take risks. It depends on having the space in which to take risks and the encouragement to do so. The creative person sees the world, and every opportunity, with new eyes."

In fact, ever since St James opened its doors to the public in 2000 it has dedicated a lot of its resources to supporting the contemporary creative scene.

The mission statement for St James focuses on its role as a catalyst for the contemporary art scene in Malta as well as its role as a hub where people of all ages and from all walks of life can join in the enriching act of creativity.

"As a foundation for creativity we have been very careful to link creativity with things like science and industry. The manufacturer who is producing goods and competing with others - who have the economies of scale in their favour - can compete by coming up with new, innovative designs and processes."

In many prosperous societies, creativity is a force that spins the wheel of economy, Mr Fenech stressed. The Centre for Creativity can contribute towards the country's economic and social development and prosperity by promoting creativity - to keep that wheel spinning.