Creativity is our Birthright—And Our Community Needs Space for It

Imagine a prescription that reduces stress, strengthens problem-solving skills, builds community, and brings joy. Now imagine that this treatment is free, already inside you, and has been since childhood. Creativity is that medicine.  And yet, we live in a world that often discourages it—where art is seen as extra rather than essential, where play is something we "grow out of," and where we are encouraged to consume rather than create.  

A child sitting in his egg carton house.

During the pandemic, making things with my kids was a source of joy in an otherwise uncertain world. When everything felt heavy, we found lightness in scissors and glue, in cardboard castles and watercolor sunsets. Creativity gave my family a way to process, to connect, to build something from nothing. And now, though the world is still going through a hard time, we don’t have to face it in isolation. Instead of turning inward, we have the chance to create, share, and build something together.  

That’s why communities need creative spaces. Places where art isn’t just something to look at, but something to make. Places where people of all ages can remember what it feels like to build, to imagine, to play.  

Studies show that making art reduces anxiety, improves cognitive function, and fosters social connection. When we create, we feel better. And when we create together, something even more powerful happens—we strengthen our sense of belonging, our ability to collaborate, and our connection to the world around us.  

I see this every day through Canaan Kids Artspace, where we transform recycled materials into something new. People donate scraps and supplies with little Post-it notes attached—“This could be turned into a fancy storage box,” “Wallpaper—for dollhouses?” These aren’t just ideas; they’re small gifts of imagination, reminders that people want to create. They just need the space, the permission, and the invitation to do so.  

This is also about challenging the consumer culture that tells us we must buy to have beauty in our lives. Art is already in you. It’s free. We can make things from what we already have. Reusing, reshaping, and reimagining materials isn’t just about sustainability—it’s about reconnecting with our true nature, with play, and with our own ability to create.

Yes, creative spaces are often for children—because every child deserves access to art, to play, to the magic of making something with their own hands. But when a community comes together to foster joy and creativity for its kids, something bigger happens. Parents, grandparents, neighbors, and friends pick up paintbrushes, glue cardboard towers, and dream up new ideas alongside the children. The lines between “for kids” and “for adults” blur, and we remember that creativity is for all of us. 

We need more spaces where this can happen. Spaces where people can gather, create, and reconnect with something that has always belonged to them. Investing in creativity isn’t just about making art—it’s about making stronger, more connected communities.  

If you believe in the power of creativity, support the spaces that nurture it. Donate materials. Volunteer. Show up and create. Because when we build spaces for imagination, we don’t just make art—we make a better world.