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When did Creativity australia come in to
being and what were the driving forces
behind its formation?
Creativity Australia was launched in November 2008 at the Sofitel
Melbourne by Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and Evan Thornley just
as the economic downturn began! I have had many discussions
with CEOs, Board members and HR directors who are very
concerned with the rising incidence of depression, the social
isolation being experienced by employees, and the challenge of
attracting and retaining talent and engaging with employees. The
cost of depression to the Australian workforce equates to around 30
million working days per year with lost or reduced productivity, at
a cost to employers of approximately $10.11 billion a year. And the
national cost of staff turnover to organisations is estimated in the
order of $100 billion annually (AHRI). The world is out of balance
and this social venture is an attempt to address our internal ecology
and relationships with others.
What does Creativity australia aim to
achieve and how do you plan for these
aims to be fulfilled?
Creativity Australia, a new not-for-profit organisation:
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Promotes creativity in individual lives, our workplaces and in our
wider community;
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Develops sustainable and innovative mind health and well-
being programmes and activities to nurture and affirm personal
creativity; and
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Advocates creative leadership and thinking in all walks of life,
and encourages policy-makers and business leaders to promote
personal creativity in their own decision-making.
Our vision is to unlock the innate creativity present in all human
beings, so as to improve mental health and wellbeing, social
cohesion, innovation and productivity.
To do so we will create targeted creative programs engaging with
the right side of the brain. These programs will not only help
people's sense of self esteem, connection and wellbeing but will
lead to outcomes including creative leadership, greater innovation
and increased productivity.
Through our innovative programs we can help people to express
their emotions and connect on a meaningful level with others.
ca's initiatives include:
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Mind over Music: Music and other creative programmes for
wellbeing/positive mental health in partnership with mental health
institutes and researchers.
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With one Voice: Australia Sings - Corporate Choirs will be
recruited and rehearse weekly over 12 months and perform for
their company events, local hospitals, aged care centres and
community groups. Choirs will be encouraged to "adopt" groups
in socially disadvantaged areas, working with them in the common
endeavour of tapping individual creativity and imagination.
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the Battle of the corporate choirs: A major annual
corporate challenge event celebrating the diversity of Australia's
organisations through the power of song, and providing an outlet
for the creative passions of their members.
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Brainstorm Series: One-off `creative booster' sessions for
conferences, retreats, board meetings, break-out sessions etc.
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australia cares: Business/community creative partnership
programmes with employees of various organisations, migrant
communities and regionally disadvantaged areas.
CA will also work with companies and business organisations on
an advisory basis to develop and implement creativity activities
tailored to individual workplaces and corporate cultures.
SpotliGHt oN
Creativity australia
launches into action
"Creativity has become the most universally endangered species in the Twenty
First Century. Never has the need for creativity been so compelling and never has
genuine creativity been in such short supply." Ryan Mathews & Watts Wacker
Sofitel Melbourne staff in SINGS Choir with soprano & Founder of Creativity Australia, Tania de Jong.