“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain one once he grows up.”
“Picasso said this and Knowmads attempts to solve the struggles an individual has in creating a life of purpose by giving them the necessary experience, creativity, and individual responsibility needed to succeed in a world that is changing at an extremely rapid rate. Because of this, the traditional four year degree is outdated within a year of graduation. As a student with a background in experimental, experiential, and artistic education, conforming to the typical university system just wasn’t an option for me. For a true individual seeking to transcend conformity and give more meaning to life, Knowmads is for you. Because It’s not about creating parts to your life; it’s about creating your part in life. Welcome Home!”
So, your first question may be:
Who is the artist? In my eyes, the artist is a human being who combines passion, work, and playful learning. The artist has a spiritual core, a fearless exterior, and uses their creativity, or imagination, to make a difference in the world they’ve created.
The next question I’m attempting to gain more insight on is: “what is the role of art and the artist in the 21st Century?” I believe that the artist can be used as the perfect analogy of what is required of educating leaders in this era of socio-economic complexity. Here are 3 reasons why:
1. The Artist “suffers.” Have you ever heard of the expression “the suffering artist?” In other words, the artist “feels” more. The artist gives meaning to the work they do in life and re-defines what work really means. In a sense, the artist is able to find the “story behind the story.” The self-knowledgeable artist writes his/her biography over and over again. Because of this, the artist is secure in searching for who they really are in order to know what they can really offer this world. The artist asks questions of self and the world around them to gain more wisdom, knowledge, inforrmation, and inspiration. In an age of abundance, Dan Pink’s theory on the conceptual age comes to mind. In his book, a Whole New Mind, he states six key factors required for competent thinking in our current state of the world. Based on design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning, Pink’s theory is based on a lot more feeling than thinking, actually. This is where the artist excels. With all this input and inspiration, the artist is able to…
2. “Create.” Albert Einstein once said “imagination is more important than knowledge.” This the place where the artist may turn all his input and growth from within and output it into the world around him. Because the artist has created a world, or reality, in which they can be themselves, they are able to create a world in which they can succeed in doing the things they love. They are able create opportunities in everything they do and attempt to challenge. They create something of value and add to the conversation instead of adding to the “noise.” In the business world, this can be seen as a sort of entrepreneurial behavior. The artist is able to create a genuine authenticity to everything they do by truly placing their selves in their work.
3. The artist “transforms.”
The artist “works“ on transforming the very definition of work. Attempting to blur the compartmentalized lives we lead, the artist “combines passion, business, and playful learning,” Upon entering the world from an education, the artist remembers that education does not stop once you enter the work-force. As a matter of fact, it should be fun, encouraged, and continue. This type of passionate and playful mentality of life-long learning is one of the main reasons I believe in the success of the future artist. Recognizing that the only constant is change, this transformative ability will allow the artist to flow with a rapidly-changing world upon leaving “art school.
John Naisbitt, the author of Megatrends, has stated that “Education is now the number one economic priority in today’s economy.” So, what is the soul of an education for the 21st century? How does the artist live and learn in the 21st century?
Stay tuned for more reasons why I think “art school” just may very well be the next “dream school.” I will further explore what the space looks and feels like as well as the importance of the “artistic process.” My last question I leave you with is: how does the changing face of technology merge with the changing space of the classroom? Until then, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what you think makes a “school” a “dream school.”
Here is some link love:
2020 Forecast: creating the future of learning.
The google futurist, Thomas Frey, on education.
KnowledgeWorks Foundation: map of future forces driving education.
Project Dream School, an initiative by Marcel Kampman, another Knowmads ambassador.
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