"Exploring Creativity" Presentations:

John & Viv share their creative message with live music, slides, discussion and audio clips from Art of the Song

"John and Viv bring their Art of the Song wisdom to the stage with magnetic appeal and powerful authenticity. My audience was moved by their personal stories, inspired by their concepts and completely delighted by the way they used their own artful song to drive home their message. This is one of the most entertaining and thought-provoking creativity 'talks' I've seen... and I've seen a lot!"

- Suzanne Falter-Barns, author, creativity expert

Art of the Song host/producers John Dillon & Viv Nesbitt are available for keynotes and other special presentations!

In the course producing the successful syndicated program, Art of the Song Creativity Radio, we've conducted over 150 interviews with songwriters, artists and writers like Judy Collins, Arlo Guthrie, Vusi Mahlesala, Dr. John, and America's foremost creativity coach, Eric Maisel, PhD. In addition, we've read scores of books and researched the internet absorbing all things creative. Through our research, travels, and interviews, Art of the Song has taken us deep into the cultural significance of creativity faster than we could ever have imagined.

We have learned that creativity is a profound agent for community and for change. From South African artist Vusi Mahlasela we learned it is possible to sing a culture of hope into being during the darkest times of apartheid; from Judy Collins that the very act of creating, heals; and from Linda Mason that creative expression through music communicated to the women living in the internment camps of Darfur, Sudan that we understood, in our hearts, their plight.

We've synthesized what we've learned, and now we're ready to share - in person with your group - why we believe that developing creativity is the most important thing we can do individually and as a culture as we move into the 21st century. "Exploring Creativity" is a unique presentation with live music and stories, slide show, and audio excerpts from Art of the Song interviews.

We look forward to discussing your next event!

Thanks for your interest,

John Dillon & Viv Nesbitt

"I want to tell you how much I enjoyed your performance. It brought tears to my eyes! How authentic and true it was... You two work together so amazingly well and have unique stories to tell. I could tell that everyone enjoyed it!"

- Deanna Minich, PhD, CN - Metagenics, Inc.

Engage the whole mind...

Designed specifically to engage the left and right sides of the brain, John & Viv's unique presentations (like the radio show) involve both music and talk. Programs can be customized for any situation combining live music, talk about the creative process, excerpts from Art of the Song interviews, and visuals.

John & Viv are available to present their creative message in a number of settings:

Specific topics that are addressed:

Songwriting workshops:

"Great program. Very thought provoking. Cool songs. To express creativity is not only essential to health and happiness, it's the way we experience what it is to be alive."

- The Very Rev. J. Mark Goodman – Dean and Rector - St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, Albuquerque, NM

Presenter Fees:

Fees depend on the type of presentation and length of time we're away from home. We'll be happy to discuss your particular interests.

Discounted rates available for public radio and non-profit events.

Call 575-586-1996 to discuss your event with us!

The Importance of Creativity

by John Dillon

Why did we create a public radio program about creativity? Why is it important for individuals to explore and express creativity? Why is it important for corporations and governments to support creativity? Why is it important for schools to teach creativity?

Creativity is at the CORE of our humanity. It is quite literally what makes us human. It is how we can connect with our divine nature, according to author Matthew Fox. Whether we know it or not, we all have a deep need for creative expression. This doesn't mean we all have to be artists or musicians; every life can be lived in a creative way.

According to Richard Florida in his book The Rise of the Creative Class, over 38 million Americans make their living in a creative or related field. The creative class is rapidly becoming the driving force in our economy. If our society is to thrive, we need to nurture creativity in our emerging workforce. It's no wonder that professor, Jonathan Feinstein's class on "Creativity in Business" is one of the most popular classes at the Yale School of Management. According to Feinstein, successful companies like Best Buy are now recruiting potential managers who actively pursue their "outside" interests in music or art.

What is unfortunate is that by the time we reach our teen years many of us have had the creativity drummed out of us. Paul Reisler (Art of the Song show #89) spends a great deal of his time with his Kid Pan Alley program in public schools writing songs with elementary school children. He says that our schools are not teaching children to be creators, but rather, to be consumers. In his Art of the Song interview Paul says, "The creative act is the most powerful thing in the world. Everything of value in this world is made by people creating something... people having an idea, getting an image in their mind, and then creating it. And yet we're not teaching our kids how to be creative, we're teaching them the opposite." One of my most vivid (and disappointing) childhood memories is being reprimanded by Mrs. Stickler for looking out the window of my third grade class daydreaming.

So if our schools don't teach it and many in our government don't value it, where will people learn and be inspired to explore their own creativity? We are fortunate in this country to have a public broadcasting system whose mission "is to provide programs and services which inform, enlighten and enrich the public. [Public broadcasting] has particular responsibility to encourage the development of programming that involves creative risks..."

Art of the Song is a program designed to inspire listeners to find and express their unique creative voices. Journalist Bill McKibben says, "Creativity is a vexedly difficult topic to capture, but [Art of the Song] does it better than just about anything I've heard on the radio. Really, really solid... can't imagine they're not on most public radio stations."

We at Art of the Song often say that creative expression is as important as voting. It's our way of weighing in everyday and having our voices heard in the world. If, as a society, we are in tune with our creative selves, we will be better able to solve the day to day problems that confront us, and better able to make decisions that will enhance the quality of life on this planet for us and for future generations.

"Thank you for giving us permission to express our vocal and musical passion. Your courage and willingness to be open and follow the flow was brilliant!"

- Laura Lynne Dyer, recent participant

Presenter Fees:

Fees depend on the type of presentation and length of time we're away from home. We'll be happy to discuss your particular interests.

Discounted rates available for public radio and non-profit events.

Call 575-586-1996 to discuss your event with us!