How can a performing arts library encourage creativity?

Our mission is to encourage creativity in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland community.

We tend our stock carefully - like a garden, weeding and sowing (but not watering - that would be crazy!).  Books, electronic media, music, sound and video recordings all go into the mix.  That's what libraries do.  We try to provide the materials you need, and other inspirational things for you to find.

We try to keep the environment appropriate for study.  And we talk to our plants!  (Quietly.)

We have library events, like book launches, to bring people into the library and give them an insight into the authors' thought processes.  Quite often, there's live music, or reading poetry/prose from the author's work.  And we exhibit appropriate library materials, again in the hope something might just catch your eye, intrigue or inspire you.

How else can we encourage and foster your creativity?   Do respond to this posting or speak to the library staff!

Portfolio Careers (article spotted in the Guardian this week)

This came up via the Culture Professionals Network:-

"Portfolio careers in the arts: one part pain, two parts pleasure

"Can the sum of your jobs make up more than the whole?
Rachel Nelken weighs up the pros and cons of portfolio working" Read the article here.

 

Join the Guardian Culture Professionals Network to be advised of interesting articles, events, etc. 

Reflection, and Reflective Practice

Whittaker has been notified of a blogpost on reflection as part of research.  As we performing artists know, reflective practice is crucial to what we do.
 
So it follows that Patter's posting will be useful to many, if not all in our creative community:-

 

Mulling it over – a thinking tool for reflecting on a research experience