The invisible and underestimated contributions to creative achievements

Abstract

Creativity is a highly estimated value and an increasingly present topic in contemporary educational, economic, political and media discourses. It is not only considered as a valuable individual quality but as an important company and states competitive asset too. Nowadays, special attention is accorded to creative industries, as they boost national economies. In short, we are surrounded by references to creativity. However, emphasizing and promoting creativity and praising creative talents may conceal from us all the "non-creative" human, material and immaterial factors and resources which support and make possible creative accomplishments. In other words, behind each individual or group creative achievement there are those who provide logistics, organizational, financial, research, social, psychological and other kinds of support. Individuals or teams would not be able to develop and realize their innovative ideas and projects without some or more collaborators whose various talents, skills, competencies and work are embedded in the creative processes and results. The purpose of this paper is not to diminish the outstanding importance of creativeness as an inner special quality, but to present a more comprehensive approach to its manifestation, realization and outcomes. We want to bring to light and acknowledge the invisible and underestimated contributions to creative activities. Although it is good to encourage and promote creativity with all available means, we should avoid turning it into a new imperative, a pressure on each and everyone to demonstrate their creative aptitudes, especially in the educational field. This attitude could provoke feelings of frustration, deficiency and self-depreciation in persons who are not particularly creative but possess other valuable and useful qualities and skills, such as analytical, logical, practical, organizational, administrative, managerial, and others. Creative achievements as results of highly collaborative processes will be illustrated with the example of creative industries.