Do the Arts inspire innovation in business?

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Ball on November 1, 2009 at 9:38pm

As I have gotten more involved in the Arts community in Indianapolis and more involved in making my own art over the past 6 - 7 years, I have found that my solutions to problems/issues/projects at my day job have become more creative. I credit that to the thought provoking and stimulating effect of art transferring into other areas of my world.

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Permalink Reply by Trish Whitcomb on November 1, 2009 at 9:49pm

Great art comes from individuals who are driven to express themselves with clarity and conviction, holding themselves to incredibly high standards. Great athletes are motivated to dominate with similar conviction. Even Mother Nature can draw us out of ourselves if we surrender our senses to her.

The gift of art, athletics and nature is the capacity to capture our conscious and remove us from the day-to-day, giving our brains room to breathe and assimilate. How often have we struggled to remember a name or other important bit of information, only to remember it when we give up the struggle and focus on something else? How often have we puzzled over a problem, rehashing the same information, only to get a stroke of inspiration from seemingly no where? A little retrospection might reveal that a bit of recreational thinking, seeing a ballet, watching a football game or soaking in the beauty of a rising sun presaged the revelation.

Will the Smoosiers touched by the ballet be more creative in their businesses? My guess is yes. Will the creativity contribute to the bottom line? My guess is yes, again, but with the caveat that the creativity is matched with the same diligence, hard work and dedication the artist or athlete applied to his or her inspirational performance.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen James on November 1, 2009 at 9:57pm

I find that some of my most creative times are times of worship at my church. The energy and joyful, enthusiasm of the time charges my creativity. Art is about as close to faith as many people get, due to the implicit metaphysical meaning. My wife and fine artist, Rachel Steely, certainly finds inspiration in other mediums besides visual art. And if one can transfer inspiration between mediums of expression, then it can be transferred to non-art related fields.

A thriving art community draws creative class business entrepreneurs, because that is what they will want to participate in during their free time, but akin to finding inspiration for the web sites I help design-- the connection is not always logical, nor direct.

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Permalink Reply by Peter T. Kissinger on November 1, 2009 at 10:29pm

The arts, business, science and engineering all rely on innovation to move ahead. They all advance by the few who try to break conventional thinking and try a new way. It is a matter of thinking "what's possible" and not being defeated by what is thought to be impossible. For sure very few pull this off, but if no one tried, then the social and technical advances would come to a halt. There would be no Smaller Indiana,
no VIA coffee and no new treatments for disease. We have a vibrant arts scene in the Lafayette area and often our scientists and engineers are among the most active patrons and participants. Innovators like other innovators.

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Permalink Reply by Trish Whitcomb on November 1, 2009 at 10:53pm

Great art comes from individuals who are driven to express themselves with clarity and conviction, holding themselves to incredibly high standards. Great athletes are motivated to dominate with similar conviction. Even Mother Nature can draw us out of ourselves if we surrender our senses to her.
The gift of art, athletics and nature is the capacity to capture our conscious and remove us from the day-to-day, giving our brains room to breathe and assimilate. How often have we struggled to remember a name or other important bit of information, only to remember it when we give up the struggle and focus on something else? How often have we puzzled over a problem, rehashing the same information, only to get a stroke of inspiration from seemingly no where? A little retrospection might reveal that a bit of recreational thinking, seeing a ballet, watching a football game or soaking in the beauty of a rising sun presaged the revelation.
Will the Smoosiers touched by the ballet be more creative in their businesses? My guess is yes. Will the creativity contribute to the bottom line? My guess is yes, again, but with the caveat that the creativity is matched with the same diligence, hard work and dedication the artist or athlete applied to his or her inspirational performance.

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Permalink Reply by Horace Tucker on November 1, 2009 at 11:00pm

Inasmuch as the arts are all about the expression of creativity, perhaps the greatest influence of the arts in business is going to be in generating parallel creativity. What we see and hear and feel has an effect in all areas of thought. Me may not even be consciously aware of the influence, but we are better human beings when we focus, even for a shot time, on more than that which can be measured and controlled. When we exercise those parts of our beings not normally associated with "business," we are more likely to find ways to solve problems, ways that are not apparent to those who concentrate only on the "normal" solutions. We must remember that one definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. The "normal" mode of doing business is to focus on what we - and others like us - know. But focusing on the same-old, same-old; Is that not doing the same things over and over? Indeed it is. And is that not a measure of insanity. Indeed it is. Perhaps what art does for us is to keep us from insanity.

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Permalink Reply by Rita Williams on November 1, 2009 at 11:01pm

I believe art is very imporant in the business scene. Art helps motivate, encourage, soothe business surrounding. I have several motivational pictures at our business. Art is in the eye of the beholder.

Rita

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Permalink Reply by basil anest berchekas jr on November 2, 2009 at 4:50am

I think so. The arts open up new nitch venues for various types of business, and add to their marketing appeal...

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Permalink Reply by Greg Phelps on November 2, 2009 at 7:02am

Well said Curt - I agree. Innovation in business and the creativity of art are parallel.
Both are willing to discard popular thinking and expand our horizons.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah A. (Sally) Hedges on November 2, 2009 at 7:31am

yes art is an important factor because of this horrible economy I think small business including small arts businesses will
be the front runner. Small art businesses handmade art, unique art more for your money these days.....

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Permalink Reply by David Ginn on November 2, 2009 at 8:26am

To prompt or instigate something new or different through the arts. As direct commercial influence I would have to say no in the sense that many innovations via business are cause and effect innovations. But to have a butterfly effect - yes. Now if it was "Do the Arts inspire innovative thinking in business?" I would say yes. And by reading other posts I would say some of the participants have had a taste of what the arts can do for you personally. I have been a dancer for over 15 years so I am somewhat bias I guess!
As much as we would like to think we understand the importance of the arts here in the U.S.A. (and especially in Indiana), we are so far behind the curve. When Gregory Hancock Dance can be invited to other countries because of their performance and treated like movie stars in another country ( with autographs and pictures from fans) to only return home and find out the local media didn't even care enough to write even a blurb in any publication or broadcast.

Should arts be used to inspire? Yes - when I need my brain to get going I will put on some Carmina Burana by Orff. Will arts be used? Not intentionally I am afraid. When we live in a society where we need action groups to save art programs in school - hard to say it is in our national consciousness of importance.

I am glad to hear that new people have experienced the rejuvenating spirit that art supplies. Ballet is just the tip of the proverbial ice berg. Art museums, dance companies (from ballet to interpretational), theatre (travelling shows to local experimental theatres) and small galleries spotting the map here and there. Take a moment - do an internetet search (I used to read the Nuvo for art but it was getting a little too odd in the advertisements years ago and so I stopped reading weekly - so not sure if it a good place to search again). Find some spots you haven't tried and TAKE A FRIEND with you!
If you are inspired by art - or just have been inspired by art - AND you think art can influence business/local society in a positive way, then you must help pass the word by introducing yourself and a friend to new art shows. Heron School of Art has some great public art classes where you can learn general art skills to making movies. Great place to learn more on what an artist feels when they create!
And yes - have a BLA from Purdue in Theatre Design (several years of experimental theatre has me saying - go catch a show!!!), an Asociates in Fine Arts, studied photography, drawing (charcoal is my favorite medium). Our son is already making claymation movies at 8yrs old and our daughter (just turning big girl 5) is wanting to sing and dance. Wife also was a theatre major - costume design. So I think I have the pedigree when I say - Arts are inspirational but local businesses will not seek out art for innovative thinking. But the arts can inspire you to think and reflect.
So it is up to you to introduce a friend/coworker/boss to some inspirational art, maybe take some adult courses (yes I am biased with Heron community programs) or just keep attending and supporting our local art scene! The more people that are introduced from your work place - the better the chances are for an inspirational moment due to a performance or gallery showing.
Should businesses study art? By all means yes! Art movements are a reflection of the time. If you want to keep your finger on the pulse on HOW people are thinking and feeling - you should follow the art scene deeply as you can. Da Da may have been a short live period but it reflected a rise in growing feeling many were experiencing against what society viewed as art. Odd period I know but interesting to study the playwrights of the period.

Sorry for long winded there - cutting myself off now before this turns into a dissertation. Use the art to train yourself to do what it does (and has done for thousands of years) - think oustide the norm! Color me gone......

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Permalink Reply by PK Koduri on November 2, 2009 at 8:51am

By the standards that businesses use to hire - I will say no. Businesses have a hard time accepting anything that deviates from the norm. Smoosiers that are managers just ask yourselves how many times did you shoot down an idea because it was too radical? Innovative art and theater ruffles feathers and challenges status quo - something that many businesses have a hard time dealing with. Innovation thrives on diversity too, something that the arts understands but lost on Businesses. All we need to do is look at the cast of Cirque De Soliel and compare it to any of your Fortune 500 executive ranks.

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