Incubating ideas
Given the recent economic emphasis of innovation, anything that enhances creativity will be of interest to business. With artists being the quintessential creative types, some believe that allowing artists and scientists to work together should foster creative sharing. The EU-funded KIICS (KiiCS - Knowledge incubation in innovation and creation for science) project intended to facilitate such interaction and document the results. Further aims included encouraging interest in science among young people and promoting related activities by providing artistic stimulation and support. A final goal involved seeking to market any resulting innovations. KIICS offered and tested a range of modules (called incubators) whereby artists, scientists, technologists and others interested in creativity could work together. Across Europe, more than 5 000 participants were involved in a total of 15 modules – 9 for adults and 6 aimed at 14-17 year olds. Aside from the collaborations as such, results included new formats and methodologies for producing incubators. Work yielded a relevant how-to guide, disseminated to the professional field via workshops and other events. The guide was translated into seven languages. The team summarised its main findings and policy recommendations. Outcomes of the undertaking include 24 innovative ideas, skills improvement, establishment of new collaborative multidisciplinary workspaces and strengthened local partnerships. Further results involved experimentation with processes for making science more relevant to the community, exploration of existing collaborative partnerships and development of multidisciplinary courses in local schools. KIICS involved productive exploration of the benefits of collaboration between scientific and artistic fields. The results may lead to more effective creativity models for business, with associated product development.
Keywords
Scientists, artists, incubators, innovation, knowledge incubation, science
