The Utility of the Creative Process - John Michael Schert

John Michael Schert, Visiting Artist and Social Entrepreneur at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and UChicago Arts

In fall 2013, John Michael began as the University of Chicago Booth School and UChicago Arts' Visiting Artist and Social Entrepreneur. In this newly created position, he will work over a two-year period mentoring students and working with faculty to explore the utility of the creative process; how this asset can be of relevance and value to other sectors including business, economics, government and healthcare. He believes that people in an array of fields can learn how artists engage in the creative process and then deploy that knowledge, channeling creativity into a marketable product that also can contain high community value.

John Michael Schert began his career as a dancer with American Ballet Theatre and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. In 2004, he co-founded Trey McIntyre Project (TMP) serving as the company's Executive Director and a dancer for nine years. During that time Schert gained a unique insight into the process and product of art-making, which has led him to become a sought-after national arts leader and speaker focusing on the evolving role of creatives in American society.