Creative Minds

What is it?

The Creative Minds project is a key initiative of Budweis 2028, which aims to unlock the creative potential in each of us.

We believe that creativity is not just a gift for a select few, but a key competence for the 21st century, a spark that lies dormant in every person – and we are here to create the right environment and conditions for it to ignite.

Imagine a world where everyone, children and adults alike, has the opportunity and courage to discover, create and come up with new ideas. A world where we are not afraid of uncertainty, because precisely in moments of "not knowing" the most interesting discoveries and ideas are born. Our mission is to support and develop creativity in a wide target group – from children, pupils and students, through parents and grandparents, to artists, lecturers, creatives and teachers.

By 2028, we aim to create a unique center for creative education in Budweis serving as a comprehensive and interconnected ecosystem for the development of creativity across generations.

Our vision is being realized through four interconnected pillars:

• Edu.lab: Creative Education Laboratory: Our methodical and educational heart, where it all begins. Here we develop and test innovative approaches that connect culture and education. We train artists, creatives and lecturers in proven methods such as Creative Education, Creative Problem Solving and Design Thinking. We equip them with know-how, tools and self-confidence to effectively develop their own creative potential and the potential of others. Edu.lab is the engine of quality and innovation for our entire ecosystem and builds qualified capacities in the field of creative education in the South Bohemian Region.

  • Train the Trainers (TtT) model: Develops the teaching skills of artists and creatives so that they can design and lead creative education programs for schools. It is a 50-hour experiential program divided into seven meetings. Participation in TtT is free for Budweis 2028 project teams.

  • Program Design (PD) Model: Systematically prepares participants for the conceptual creation and design of effective creative education programs. It teaches the principles of Learning Design and Design Thinking, the analysis of target group needs, and the integration of relevant Budweis 2028 topics. It involves 48-50 hours of intensive work, including live meetings and homework, with the output in the form of a program pilot tested twice in schools. Participation in PD is also free for Budweis 2028 project teams.

  • Creative Teacher's Club: A model for regular meetings and training of teachers in the field of creative education, with the active involvement of artists and creatives.

  • School programs: Thanks to trained lecturers from Edu.lab, we bring creativity directly into elementary and secondary school classrooms. These are not one-off events, but well-thought-out programs that systematically develop key "creative habits of mind" – inquisitiveness, imagination, persistence, collaboration and discipline. Thematically, they are anchored in the Permaculture Budweis 2028 concept (Care, Connect, Create).

• Mille Formes Children's Museum (planned): We are preparing an inspiring and interactive space for the youngest children aged 0 to 6, where they will be able to freely discover experiment and develop their natural curiosity and imagination in a safe and stimulating environment. The project is in the preparatory phase, with 2026 and 2027 devoted to developing the museum concept and working on the first exhibitions. We have signed a cooperation memorandum with the city of Clermont-Ferrand, our French partner, where the original Mille Formes children's museum (founded in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou) is located.

• Prototype Studio (planned): For older elementary school students (grades 8-9) and secondary school students, we are planning a creative studio where they can apply their acquired skills in solving real social challenges and projects using Art Thinking, Design Thinking, and Future Thinking methods. The goal is to guide students through a structured process from understanding the problem to designing its solution, which will provide them with practical skills applicable in life and in the job market. We will focus on developing the concept and initial formats in 2026 and 2027.

All these parts are interconnected and mutually enrich each other. The key for us is the environment. We create an atmosphere of psychological safety, playfulness, and support, where mistakes are a natural part of learning and an opportunity for growth. We encourage to experiment and to ask questions such as "How could we...?"

The project is implemented in a broader context and builds on strategies such as Budweis 2028, the Cultural Strategy of the City of Budweis, and the Regional Strategy for the Support of Cultural and Creative Industries. In all strategies, creativity and support for the interconnection of culture and education play an important role in promoting innovation.