The University of Stirling will host a seminar by Dr Jonathan Mills, Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, on 20 June in the Enterprise Zone of the University Library from 11am to 1pm.
Dr Mills, who is an honorary graduate of the University, will address the following questions:
- Are creativity, creative space and artistic expression relevant to people, universities, societies?
- How could creativity be influenced?
- Should it be influenced?
- What is the role of analysis, debate and discussion?
When he first took over the reins at the world famous Festival in 2007, Jonathan Mills was relatively unknown in this country. Born in Sydney, he gained a degree in architecture, specialising in acoustic design. Before coming to Scotland, he had composed two operas, studied piano and composition in Italy and been Director of the Melbourne Festival.
Roger Sugden, Head of Stirling Management School, anticipates a lively debate and says: “Jonathan’s insights into the arts, his sensitivity to peoples and societies and his experience in creating spaces for people to express their imagination are unique. His visit to Stirling provides an exciting opportunity for us to learn and share.”
The seminar is set within the framework of the Creative Space and Socio-Economic Development project, which is a new initiative by Stirling Management School, in partnership with the Art Collection at the University, macrobert and Forth Valley College.
The broad aim of the project is to focus on the relationship between art and people’s engagement, and how this contributes to individual wellbeing. The project suggests that people’s openness and access to artistic activities lead to stimulation and expression of creativity and critical thinking. This may, in turn, be conducive to wider participation in societies and economies.
A critical part of the project is the undertaking of a range of new research and learning initiatives focused on the impact of creativity, imagination and critical thinking on local socio-economic development.
The seminar is free to all and all are welcome.
To register, please contact Marcela Valania at marcela.valania@stir.ac.uk or 01786 467 360.