about us
About Us
The Creative Thinking Project was established in 2011 with the aim of starting a conversation about the role and benefits of creative thinking for the individual, society, business and education. The project also aims to demystify the creative process so that everyone can invest in developing their own creativity.
The Creative Thinking Project is based at The University of Auckland and supported by the Chartwell Trust and the Fernyhough Visual Arts and Education Trust. The project has invited Creative Fellows and other experts to comment on creativity from a variety of perspectives. A course on the creative process has been developed for students at The University of Auckland. Interviews and content have been published on this site for a wide audience. A range of recent projects and other activities include a project to measure the creative environment of schools and a national network to support community groups through the use of creativity for health and wellbeing.
In 2020 the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation was established to focus on the critical role of creative thinking in education and wellbeing. The Centre is based in The University of Auckland’s Faculty of Education and Social Work.
Key Supporters
- Robert Gardiner, the Chartwell Trust – Patron (Founding Board Member)
- Sue Gardiner, the Chartwell Trust (Founding Board Member)
- Karen Turner, the Chartwell Trust
- Christine Fernyhough, the Fernyhough Visual Arts and Education Trust
- Bob Dylan – Creative Laureate and Founding Patron
Operations Team
- Amy Malcolm, The University of Auckland – Founder and Director (From 2010 – present ), Creative Thinking Project (Founding Board Member)
- Professor Jenny Dixon, the University of Auckland – Chair (2011 – 2019), Creative Thinking Board
- Amber McWilliams – Creative Content (2014 – 2017)
- Justin Brown – Creative Content (2018 – 2019)
- Alex Harvey, The University of Auckland – Content Manager (From 2020 – present)
- Pip Anderson, The University of Auckland – Administrator (2014 – 2019)
Key Academics
- Professor Emeritus Nancy Adler, McGill University (Creative Fellow)
- Associate Professor Cathy Stinear, Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland (Founding Board Member)
- Dr Peter Shand, National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries, The University of Auckland (Founding Board Member)
- Dr Mark Sagar, Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland (Founding Board Member)
- Associate Professor Michael Parekowhai, National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries, The University of Auckland (Founding Board Member)
- Professor Peter O’Connor, Faculty of Education and Social Work, The University of Auckland (Founding Board Member)
- Professor Nancy Andreasen, University of Iowa (Creative Fellow)
- Emeritus Professor Michael Corballis , Faculty of Science, The University of Auckland (Creative Fellow)
- Professor David Eagleman, Stanford University, California (Creative Fellow)
- Professor Rita Irwin, The University of British Colombia, Vancouver (Creative Fellow)
- Emeritus Professor Janis Jefferies, Goldsmiths, University of London (Creative Fellow)
- Professor Jonathan Neelands, Warwick Business School (Creative Fellow)
- Professor Bruce Sheridan, Colombia College, Chicago (Creative Fellow)
- Dr Julie Maxton, The Royal Society, London (International Board Member)
- Peter Rajsingh, New York University, New York (International Board Member)
- Professor Michael Anderson, The University of Sydney (Creative Expert)
- Associate Professor Ralph Buck, Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries, The University of Auckland (Creative Expert)
- Michael Finneran, University of Limerick (Creative Expert)
- Selina Tusitala Marsh, Faculty of Arts, The University of Auckland (Creative Expert)
- Associate Professor Paula Morris, Faculty of Arts, The University of Auckland (Creative Expert)
- Honorary Professor Kevin Roberts, The University of Auckland (Creative Expert)
- Sir Richard Faull, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland
- Nuala Gregory, National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries, The University of Auckland
- Dr Michelle Johansson, Director, Southside Rise
- Professor Donna Rose Addis, Faculty of Science, The University of Auckland
- Dr Molly Mullen, Faculty of Education and Social Work, The University of Auckland
Friends
- Curt Tofteland, Founder, Shakespeare Behind Bars (Creative Fellow)
- Alastair Carruthers, Leader (Creative Expert)
- Wang Dongling, Chinese Calligraphy Artist (Creative Expert)
- Max Gimblet, Artist (Creative Expert)
- Anthony Hoy Fong, Chef (Creative Expert)
- Victoria Ransom, Entrepreneur (Creative Expert)
- David Shrigley, Artist (Creative Expert)
- Louise Callan, Writer
- Cheryl Hayward, Producer
- Jennie Hu, HUS art farm
- Jane Sutherland, Visual Art Specials
- Lauren Tooker, Researcher, University of Warwick, Coventry
- Chris Williams, King Street Advertising
In The Beginning – How The Creative Thinking Project Began – by Amber McWilliams
Published in 2016
The Creative Idea
The Creative Thinking Project (CTP) was born over brunch. At an event hosted by the University of Auckland’s National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries (NICAI) in November 2010, an art aficionado and advocate, Robert Gardiner (ONZM; CNZM), had a conversation with Amy Malcolm, the University’s Development Manager (Special Projects).
As a founding trustee of the Chartwell Trust and a life-long supporter of the visual arts, Robert has ever been passionately committed to disseminating information about the personal and social value of creative practice. He and Amy discussed a dream scenario for communicating that passion: an international conversation about the nature and meaning of creativity, and how creative thinking could be fostered in individuals and society. The pair brainstormed ideas and questions about how this initiative could be realised…
READ THE FULL STORY ON HOW THE CREATIVE THINKING PROJECT BEGAN
Creative Thinking – Beyond The Studio – by Amber McWilliams
Published in 2015
“Creativity” has recently become a buzzword. Organisations trumpet their own creativity and cite creativity as desirable for potential employees. Creative and art-related subjects have a new cachet: they have moved from the periphery to the mainstream. Suddenly, creativity and creative thinking are seen as central to success.
READ THE FULL STORY: CREATIVE THINKING – BEYOND THE STUDIO
Contact Us
Centre for Arts and Social Transformation, The University of Auckland
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Partners
Lead Partner
Partners
Donors
Fernyhough Visual Arts and Education Trust
Seelye Trust
Jane Sutherland
King Street Advertising