Find Purpose in Creativity
Discover your purpose by nurturing your creative passion at GCU. Apply to an arts degree today!
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GCE Editorial Team
Discover your purpose by nurturing your creative passion at GCU. Apply to an arts degree today!
Speak with a University Counselor today.
1. Novotney, A. (2009). The Science of Creativity. American Psychological Association. Retrieved October 2025.
Approved and verified accurate by the Dean of the College of Arts and Media on Dec. 23, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
There are many strategies you can use to learn how to improve your creativity. You can practice your craft regularly, avoid limiting yourself with perfectionism, experiment with different styles and collaborate with others.
Whether you are a musician, designer, writer, dancer, filmmaker or any other kind of enthusiast, you probably know the importance of creativity. Creativity is part of what makes the work of artists special. It’s a skill that can be nurtured and developed intentionally, such as by following actionable tips that center on how to be creative.
Although creativity can be intentionally cultivated, it does not always come easily. Mental blocks can make it feel impossible to come up with original ideas or start a new project. Fortunately, there are ways to become mentally unstuck and get back to doing what you love.
Grand Canyon University is a private Christian school that strives to foster creativity in our learning community. We offer a broad selection of arts degrees that can empower students to express themselves creatively. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about degree options, such as the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film with an Emphasis in Production degree or the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film with an Emphasis in Screenwriting program.
There are many creative degrees that can allow students opportunities to nurture their creativity and explore different creative mediums. When considering how to improve your creativity at school, it’s important to look for a degree program that aligns with your strengths, personal interests and potential career goals. For example, if you’re passionate about becoming a better writer, you might consider pursuing a writing degree.
Some examples of degree programs that can allow you to exercise your creativity include the following:
If you enjoy using computer software and like to create visual art, you might consider pursuing a graphic design degree. A graphic design degree typically focuses on how visual elements are used to support marketing and advertising campaigns. You can expect to explore concepts like typography, color, shape and images, as well as the technologies used to create visual elements. Before deciding to earn this degree, take some time to learn more about graphic design careers.
There are different types of creative degrees, including degrees in the performing arts. These include music and dance degrees. In a music degree program, you’ll practice singing or playing instruments, and you may explore many different genres of music—from jazz to classical and beyond. In a dance degree program, you’ll similarly practice different dance styles, such as ballet, tap and hip hop.
If you have a passion for the stage, you might consider earning a theatre and drama degree. This performing arts degree offers hands-on immersion in the world of stagecraft — from acting to costume design to set management and more. Theatre and drama students are generally expected to participate in various stage productions during their time in school.
Students who love the written word may decide to explore how to be more creative with a degree in professional writing or an emphasis in screenwriting. These degree programs can give you opportunities to not only practice the craft of writing, but also develop a portfolio of your own original work. After graduation, you might use your portfolio when applying to jobs.
If you believe your future lies in digital technology and you’re interested in merging your creativity with tech, you might consider a digital design degree for aspiring web designers. You’ll explore the uses of technology for creating screen-based content, and you’ll be prompted to reflect on the principles of design, composition and user experience (UX).
Those who are interested in multimedia content creation might consider pursuing a degree in film with an emphasis in production. This type of creative degree explores the art of visual storytelling, as well as the business side of modern cinematography. You may examine everything from the history of cinema to non-linear digital video editing techniques.
There are numerous strategies you can try to jumpstart your creativity. Not every strategy may work for everyone, so it may be necessary to try a variety of approaches to discover what works best for you. One of the most essential steps in learning how to improve your creativity is to practice your chosen craft regularly.
It may sound obvious, but practice is essential for creativity. No screenwriter is born with hundreds of script ideas in their head, and no starting designer instantly has countless design concepts. It takes time and practice to develop these skills. The more you practice being creative, the more you are preparing yourself for success in future creative endeavors.
Creativity is not about perfection; you do not have to worry about making every single idea amazing. Rather, consider coming up with many ideas, even if they do not necessarily seem perfect or even good at first. These ideas can be stepping stones to other ideas that may come along.
You may need to brainstorm an abundance of ideas before settling on the "right" idea that leads to further inspiration. Often, it takes a high quantity of ideas before coming to the quality ideas that warrant further development.
Finding inspiration in everyday things can train your brain to think creatively. For example, if you see an interesting design or texture in the flooring at the grocery store, take note so you can expand on your ideas and the concept later. If you want to choreograph a dance and you see the wind blowing through the trees, take note of the movements of the leaves and branches.
Be willing to look for inspiration when you are not expecting it. If you see something that sparks an imaginative idea, make sure you remember it for the future. Take notes on your phone or snap a photograph for later reference.
Collaboration has powerful implications when it comes to creativity. There are various ways to collaborate with other creatives that can give you great ideas. Brainstorming with others and joining together to come up with creative solutions can break down your mental blocks.
One way to step outside of your comfort zone in your field is to experiment with different styles. For example, if you are a musician who primarily plays classical music, experimenting in jazz or pop might help you gain creativity as a musician, even in your own genre. If you are an artist who usually draws digitally, perhaps you can try using watercolor or colored pencils to expand your skills and your ideas.
Having confidence in your work can help you develop creativity. If you are too afraid to try new things or experiment in your art, it is difficult to be creative. Sometimes, an artist might find that fear can get in the way of creativity. You might fear taking that first step toward a new creative endeavor, or you might fear being judged. With confidence, you can work toward overcoming these fears and unleashing your creativity.
It is important to realize that what you create does not have to be perfect or better than anyone else’s work. Having confidence in your own work and artistic identity can boost your creativity. If you avoid limiting yourself by striving for perfection, you’ll feel free to try new things and have creative ideas.
Sometimes the best way to form new ideas is to take a step back from your project. Robert Epstein, PhD, a psychologist and Harvard grad, says stress and time constraints can negatively affect your creative process.(See disclaimer 1) Sometimes, it is best to take a break. This can help reduce your stress and get your creative juices flowing again.
Here are a few ways to give yourself a brain break:
