| Artists have historically been catalysts for major social change in America and therefore have an important place and purpose in society. By defining and understanding creativity, communities can promote creativity in young children, potentially producing future Master Artists. Literature contends that creativity in children is based not only on biological factors, including genetic predisposition and I.Q., but also sociocultural factors and a child's environment. Exploration of the environmental factors scientifically linked to burgeoning creativity will prove to be rooted in pedagogies practiced by Family (parents, siblings, homestead atmosphere, ethnic culture), Community (local culture, peers, creative opportunity, neighbors), and Education (creative teachers, mentors, Master Artists, and college). These factors in the childhoods of Master Artists are prevalent and give example to the implementation of the practices. The Master Artists the thesis considers, trailblazers in their respective fields before they turned 30, all had common experiences that fostered their creativity and propelled them to master status. This thesis proposes ways in which local communities can develop creativity in today's young creative minds and promote their maturation into Master Artists of the 21st Century. Examining the lives of current budding Master Artists will reveal that no matter the economic level and trials in the family environment, potential Master Artists need not much more than support from their communities, which ultimately nourishes exemplary levels of creativity and passion. This thesis will show that the same environmental factors that promoted creativity in the Master Artists of yesteryear are present in the childhoods of today's creative children. Local communities should be empowered to recognize these factors and encourage their development or see the absence of these factors in young artists' lives and introduce them. This thesis emphasizes the impact creativity has on society and why it should be developed in today's children. |
