Why creativity? Articulating and championing a museum’s social mission

Abstract

In late 2006, the Columbus Museum of Art adopted a new framework that established creativity as the lens for learning and visitor experiences. When the Columbus Museum of Art committed to creativity as a focus and lens for learning, the work and nature of its education department adapted and changed. What is a museum’s responsibility to its community? This article explores why case making and advocacy around creativity became essential, how this impacted the education department, and what implications this holds for the future of art education.