From April 11 to 16 CNAM Paris hosted Spring School 2022 for master and PhD students organised by partners within the international EU funded Erasmus+ project Artist. The third edition of “Innovation, Creativity and Arts course: Creative industries innovation ecosystems” was inspired and directed by Anne Berthinier-Poncet with the help of partners’ of Artist consortium.
Following the first online ArtIST Winter School and Summer School in Miskolc, Hungary where more than 50 students from all over the world explored the integration of Arts into innovation management, Spring School in Paris united about thirty students from Finland, Lithuania, Hungary, Italy, France, Iran, India, Russia, Zimbabwe, and Kazakhstan . More than 10 professors from all over the world from Canada to Netherlands contributed in an intensive week of seminars, artistic workshops and visits to cultural and innovative places. Student from Italy said: “With every new day I feel more and more inspiration for finding my path and follow my dreams!” Another Italian student comments: “It’s difficult to wrap up everything I learned today, simply they are too many! < … > The expectations for the next days are very high, I hope they will be matched.”
The program of this special week, the Innovation Ecosystems of the creative industries, was build by true enthusiasts professors and specialists in the field, practitioners, and also inspiring visits: the Arts and Crafts Museum and the Fairground Arts Museum, La Gaîté Lyrique and its new immersive exhibition, Aurae, the LINCC | Paris&Co, Ubisoft’s Just Dance creation studios and their brand new, very stylish head office, the Floresco. Learning exists everywhere, so a student from Finland says: “Learning on an Engaging museum, different business model, value propositions and allowing users to experience a museum in a unique way was a highlight. It was really an innovative business in arts and culture for me, that I have ever seen” Lithuanian student shares: “I’ve learned, that entrepreneurs shall embrace their weird side and be proud of it, as well as unorthodox things we believe in”.
Participants also had the chance to spend an entire afternoon at CENTQUATRE-Paris, with a visit to the 104 Factory incubator, a magnificent photo exhibition as part of the Circulations 2022 festival, and finally, a unique and moving dance performance “Romances inciertos, another Orlando” by François. Student from france notes: “I retain from this day < … > perspectives on new forms of art through digital media and the mutual implementation of these two disciplines, which personally gives me a multitude of opportunities to innovate ” A student from Italy integrates all for the best experience: “the photography exhibition, the creative movement class and the ballet were all extremely valuable. These three activities were like a unique immersive flow, and were combined to each other’s in some ways. The only way to fully experience them? Surrendering to the process!”
Three artistic workshops: photography, curiosity and creative movement punctuated with daily activities throughout the week, where students performed the variety of learning activities in multicultural groups. Student from France highlights: “This day has been rejuvenating for me. All this intellectual stimulation that invites questions about the possible combinations between different fields of activity to innovate and create value. Looking forward to continuing this beautiful experience, with all of you, tomorrow”
The students were able to explore the space of the CENTQUATRE-Paris by following the “creative movement” workshop led by Caitlan Maggs, consultant and coach in creativity and former head of artistic training at Cirque du Soleil. The “Spring School 2022” ended on Saturday noon in the Cnam hall of honour with magnificent collective performances by the students, mixing dance and photography.
“The dancing experience was an exquisite example of building connections in the context of organisational networks and implementing a productive atmosphere in the workplace. Such a solution has never been considered for me to be enforced by dancing, creative movements, or choreography sessions” – student from Italy.
Many students shared their inspiration to try out new things and experience different forms of arts, others got new ideas: “Observing how the public sector can re-evaluate urban areas Inspired me to suggest something for improving my hometown and helping the youth” – student from Finland.
“I learned that creation is like a negotiation between a vision and material capacities; what are key points in creation process with the team (trust, communication, intuition), that creation process is or can be really similar to innovation process; so many of french people work in cultural sector, how cultural policies are rethinking in Paris, what steps are taken to increase innovations and arts in Paris” – student from Lithuania
Various valuable lessons were learned and we are proud to say that ArtIST Spring School was inspiring event for all participants including teachers and organisers:
“One of the best weeks in my life! Inspired by #creativemovent at 104 space and the performance. Impressed and amazed by the students art work in both photography and dancing. Loving our collaboration < … > Touched by our community spirit. Thankful to [organizers] and the whole crowd for amazing week!” – teacher from Finland
“This week was tiring, challenging but mostly life changing. Thank you all for participating and making this springschool unique!“ – organiser from France
“It was unforgettable time! I was amazed by these free spirited, open hearted, brave, creative and curious people. Be be bold, be courageous, think wrong, embrace 😉
I thank each and every one of you – students, teachers, organizers, coordinators Such a joy to be a part of this wonderful Paris experience.” – teacher from Lithuania
Meanwhile, ArtIST team is in full preparation mode for the forth ArtIST school in Italy in September 2022. The new edition of ICA course will focus on entrepreneurship and bring together storytelling, public speaking, photography, entrepreneurship, innovation and more.