The other day I came upon an article in Newsweek that truly caught my interest.  The article was titled “The Creativity Crisis” and the headline read “For the first time reasearcg shows that American creativity is declining.  What went wrong – and how can we fix it.”  As I read the article it occured to me the writer’s statement was just not correct.  There is plenty of creativity today in America and from Americans, it’s just that past generation fails to recognize the new gereration’s creative contributions. 

Years ago creativity was defined by invention of mechanical products.  The the cotton gin, the telephone and the assembly line were regarded as creative feats, which they were.  Today, video games are more complex than ever, televison shows and feature films are less formulaic than in the past, and art expands far beyond the canvas.  Americans are constantly looking to break new ground and explore what has not been yet discovered.

While it has been asked, what changed creativity in America, there are a few areas to visit in our educational system.  From an early age children are asked to color within the lines and are graded for such.  The better grades go to those who stay within the lines.  But it is those who see no boundries that are expressing their creativity in another way. 

The article in Newsweek continued to focus on the educational system in our country as well, noting that with the packed curriculum there is very little time for creative classes.  Art and music departments are being cut and replaced with higher level math and English courses.  Our children are being educated, but only to fit into corporate America.

As I read on it was mentioned that a prime leadership requirement is creativity.  With all that is focused every day within our schools you would think we would be preserving the creative courses somehow.  But then again, why would we – the education system in our country has been designed to help children grow into adults who fit into society’s little box.  But leaders are born, not taught.  To bring America’s creativity back we just have to begin to accept those that do differently than we do and appreciate their efforts.

Looks like Anschutz Entertainment Group is not done with their multi million dollar development at LA Live. The Community Redevelopment Agency is considering a request from AEG to develop the South Park entertainment district. Their intentions are to create a more business oriented development that will provide customers for the existing restaurant tenants.

Today, January 21, 2010, the CRA is considering the request to add office and production studio space to the site, while reducing the number of hotel rooms that were part of the original LA Live master plan. This doesn’t come as a surprise since the hotel industry is still hurting the recent recession. More hotels have gone out of business in the last 3 years compared to the previous 10 years combined.

This would allow for AEG to add approximately 600,000 square feet of office space. No timeline has been provided. In addition the above mentioned project, the City Planning Commission separately considered plans for AEG to develop a 269,182 square foot broadcasting studio at LA Live that could accommodate a nationwide cable television network.

 Met-Romantic:: L.A. Metro :: Swoons Creative Angelenos

A recent move, at the end of a decade replants this seasoned Angeleno as a new resident of Lincoln Heights… Not unfamiliar with this area that’s a pocket of cultural diversity, this area also is home to many visual artists, and the hip canyon dwellers of Mount Washington. Where is this, “pocket”, you ask? Try Avenue 26 at Lacy Street :: Lacy Studio Lofts. Home to small businesses like Marketing and Branding, Design, Fashion, Film Production, Photography that make live work look like chic modes opperendo of the free world.

Knowing that the Metro is just down the street, is something that cannot be ignored- After spending 9 years of commuting up and down freeways and side routes (to work!)  but also across town to music venues, like the Wiltern, or the Hollywood Bowl, fighting for parking to no avail….the Metro Line is romancing us from the corner : I welcome it with open arms. Having only been a resident of Lacy for a few weeks – the holidays are here – and X is playing a Christmas show with Calexico at the Wiltern-Awesome! – A Band that is from Los Angeles, and has influenced hundreds since the 80′s…and BONUS! No driving and No parking : The Metro is just on the corner, sweet…..

So, because we could have an extra cocktail, we did, and we enjoyed our wait for the train that much more, but also the scenic journey: The Metro rolls up…we board,and as we roll west towards Union station where we transfer to the purple line that will take us to destination The Wiltern, we are happy to see the layout of our city as if we are on a monorail ride at Disneyland- but better, it was Chinatown! Seeing the city glitter passing over Chinatown with a birds eye view, I have to tell you, is quite cool.  And no driving mind you- Look Los Angeles, going across town no longer requires hands.

Not only can we travel to great music venues in a jiff, we can also get to view some of the hippest Art galleries, and Events, all happening downtown, such as…..”Live the Dream 2010″ > Jerico, the original artist bar,  is hosting an event this Thursday Jan 14th at 7pm, featuring the best of the best L.A. Downtown Artists, and will be featuring one of the Lacy Tenants, Emmeric Konrad. Of course….I’m going, and, I’m taking the Train

For a little creative inspiration in the coming New Year check out Art Los Angeles Contemporary, an international contemporary art fair held January 28-31, 2010 at the iconic Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. 

The fair presents 50 top international blue chip and emerging galleries from around the world, with a strong focus on Los Angeles galleries. Participants showcase some of the most dynamic recent works from their roster of represented artists, offering an informed cross section of what is happening now in contemporary art making. The fair provides a sophisticated yet accessible environment for art collectors, curators, and patrons of the arts alike to enjoy. In addition, the fair hosts a comprehensive programming series, including world class artist talks, panel discussions and an artist film screening series all on site at the Pacific Design Center.

Art Los Angeles Contemporary is aligned with the citywide Los Angeles Arts Month, a collaboration between dozens of local arts organizations, arts and civic leaders, artists, philanthropists, and committed public and private partners, so be sure to be on the lookout for other events of this type next month.  Feel free to post information here.  LA Arts Month aims to connect Los Angeles’ diverse communities to the arts, while showcasing its vibrancy to both national and international visitors.

With the holiday season upon us there are many events around Los Angeles that bring the joy of this time of year.  Many of these celebrations go without much promotion and therefore are only seen by those in the know.  The DWP Holiday Light Festival in Griffith Park is one of these special events celebrating the time of the season. 

Every night after sundown, Crystal Springs Drive becomes a winter wonderland light up with over 500,000 Christmas lights and the sounds of holiday music covering a mile stretch of the street.  Admission is free to the public and you can choose to drive through with your windows down or walk to get the full experience.  Scenes are themed to famous Los Angeles landmarks, like the Griffith Park Planetarium, while others display the cheerfulness of the holiday season.  For more information visit http://www.dwplightfestival.com/