The Peoples Renaissance

I will examine the burgeoning movement of great cultural change and creative achievement birthed by the mass global population. This great wave of creativity and co-creation fueled by the connectivity of the Internet is being called “The People’s Renaissance.” The unique technological advancements of the early 21st century created an unusual and unprecedented social climate allowing creative freedom and enthusiasm among everyday people. For the first time, the average person was allowed to dabble in creative endeavors without restraint or judgment. They were, in fact, encouraged by peers and free software to continually create and share, and surprisingly, they loved it and wanted more. What happens when the power of creativity is decentralized, and when creation, art, and design are no longer controlled by a few elite groups of schools, museums, and artists? What is the outcome? I will discuss the drivers, outcomes, and potential of this “People’s Renaissance”. This movement is still nascent, however it has energized the masses so profoundly that it will surely grow and may potentially re-imagine the idea of design and creativity. It will certainly inform and influence the next generation of artists, designers and creators.