Eudaimonia and creativity: the art of human flourishing

• Published in: Cambridge journal of education Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 295 - 306
• Main Authors: Wright, Peter R., Pascoe, Robin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Routledge 03.07.2015; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Active Learning; Art Education; Arts Education; Australia; Case Studies; Creativity; Educational psychology; engagement; expression; Foreign Countries; Humanities; Imagination; Learner Engagement; Learning; meaning; Mental Health; Persistence; Residence; Self Control; Skill Development; Social welfare; Student teachers; Teachers; Teamwork; Value; Well Being; wellbeing; Australia
• ISSN: 0305-764X; 1469-3577
• DOI: 10.1080/0305764X.2013.855172

In times of rapid change the Arts have been shown to contribute through an array of processes to a range of outcomes that improve social and emotional health. While this observation has caused debates in the field such as, intrinsic versus instrumental value, individuality versus sociality, skill development focus versus broader aesthetic focus/beauty, and the tired argument of process versus product, these reductive arguments negate the value of the Arts to becoming fully human. Using the New Economics Foundation's 'Five Paths to Wellbeing' as a framework, this article describes these paths - connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give - and the way that Arts practices are reflective of them. These links are then illustrated through a consideration of an artist-in-residence project, and pre-service teachers highlighting animating principles and processes that reveal creativity as a core value, and the links between enabling, belonging, creating, health and wellbeing.