Creative insights at the British Library January - March 2006
Eminent names from science, business and the arts reveal secrets of the creative impulse at the British Library
Creativity is the wellspring of success in business, science and the arts. To coincide with its winter exhibition on the Nobel prize winners, 'Beautiful Minds: Capture the spirit of Nobel achievement', the British Library is hosting a series of talks by leading figures in each of these fields, sharing their insights into the central importance of creativity, whether you happen to be a scientist, a designer, a film producer or an entrepreneur.
'The Creative Series' of events will aim to inspire and motivate scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs, artists and researchers to pursue their ideas. The programme is sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and, in addition to the main talk; each event will include a networking reception.
The full programme features: Lord Puttnam, Oscar-winning producer of Chariots of Fire, The Killing Fields and The Mission, discussing 'The Creative Artist' (18 January); designer and broadcaster Oliver King exploring the role of 'The Creative Designer' (31 January); Professor Lisa Jardine, historian and author of biographies of Robert Hooke and Sir Christopher Wren, charting the rise of 'The Creative Scientist' (21 February); eminent scientist Baroness Susan Greenfield going 'In Search of the Creative Mind' (6 March); and the programme concludes as Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, describes the progress of 'The Creative Entrepreneur' on 13 March.
Isabel Oswell, Head of Business Marketing at the British Library, said: "This superb line-up of speakers will provide practical advice that will inspire people in the audience to develop their own ideas and enterprises. The audience will be encouraged to turn inspiration into action and use the unrivalled resources offered by the Library - particularly the upgraded Business & Intellectual Property Centre, which opens in Spring 2006."
Professor Philip Esler, Chief Executive of the AHRC, said: "We were very keen to get involved in sponsoring these events because they offer scientists, the creative industries and entrepreneurs excellent opportunities to hear some of the UK 's leading creative talents offer guidance on how best to harness creativity in the service of research, business and public welfare goals."
Booking of tickets for the Creative Series is essential.
To reserve your tickets email: BoxOffice@bl.uk
For more information telephone: British Library Box Office on +44 (0)20 7412 7222
For further information please contact: Ben Sanderson at the British Library Press Office (telephone +44 (0)1937 546126, email: ben.sanderson@bl.uk) or Lawrence Christensen (telephone +44 (0)20 7412 7114, email: lawrence.christensen@bl.uk)
Notes for Editors
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world's greatest research libraries. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. The Library's collection has developed over 250 years and exceeds 150 million separate items representing every age of written civilisation. It includes: books, journals, manuscripts, maps, stamps, music, patents, newspapers and sound recordings in all written and spoken languages. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk.
The Business & Intellectual Property Centre, which has arguably the largest collection of market research reports in the world. Access to the British Library's Business & Intellectual Property Centre is free. Users need a Reader's Pass if visiting in person, for more information visit: http://www.bl.uk/bipc/index.html.
The Arts And Humanities Research Council - Established in April 2005 the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) has an annual budget of approximately £80 million to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from archaeology and English literature to design and dance. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,500 postgraduate awards. In addition, the AHRC manages on an agency basis for HEFCE almost £10 million to fund museums, galleries and other collections in English HEIs. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. Arts and humanities researchers constitute nearly a quarter of all research-active staff in the higher education sector . The quality and range of research supported not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.