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Understanding Creativity: The Four-Cs Model Explained
By Andrea Slusarski, Far Out Creative Director, Artist, Educator, and Froth Monster
"Conceptualizing creativity in this way gives everyone the permission to experience creativity on many levels throughout your life." — Andrea Slusarski
What Is the Four-Cs Model of Creativity?
My world lives in meta-land — I'm a creative educator, teaching art teachers how to teach Art, or more importantly, what I argue, creativity.
In this research on experiencing and teaching creativity, I love to dissect with my students what we know about it. Building an understanding of and approach to how they engage with creativity is what I believe will propel their lives and, as a result, those of future students. As many of my undergraduates begin class with what they think is their definition of creativity, only to leave realizing it's deeper than they originally thought.
The concept that resonates with many art educators is Kaufman and Beghetto's Four C Model of Creativity.
Creativity psychology researchers Kaufman and Beghetto present us with developmental levels of creativity. These levels — little-c, Big-C, mini-c, and Pro-C — are ALL CREATIVITY. Kaufman and Beghetto, in their model, aim to help remind us of where and why our skill set may be at a specific level.
The Four Levels of Creativity, Defined
Little-c: Everyday Creativity (The Most Accessible Level)
First, let's define my favorite of them all: little-c. These are everyday creative acts and are not limited to visual works. Everyone can access creativity here, and the more little-c's the better. When learning about little-c for myself and for my students, I'm connected to Dr. Ruth Richard's research. Her work emphasizes the importance of little-c healthy practices for living, while also pointing out that the visual arts are not the only way creativity occurs.
Her call for emphasizing process over product and daily creativity is that: "We can live better if we use conscious creative approaches, meeting each situation afresh in our lives, from the meals we create to how we organize things at the office."
Hot Tip: little-c creativity is for everyone. You don't have to be an artist to be creative. Making a meal, solving a problem at work, or taking a new route on your morning walk all count.
Big-C: Historic, Legendary Creativity
In contrast, Big-C will be remembered in history books. It's Beyoncé, Georgia O'Keeffe, Stephen King, Tina Fey, and many other names you could probably recall based on enjoying their creative pursuits. Also, it's important to note that we often view Big-C as the culmination of their entire body of work. Big-C creatives engage in little-c activities too.
Pro-C: Professional-Level Creativity
The other two categories help us distinguish even further levels found in creative acts. Pro-C creatives have reached a professional level. This comes from years of experience and training. Typically, it's said that 10 years of experience or dedication to the craft is necessary for this level.
Mini-c: Personal, Meaningful Creative Discovery
"Mini-c is defined as the novel and personally meaningful interpretation of experiences, actions, and events" (Beghetto & Kaufman, 2007, p. 4). For art teachers and parents, mini-c is such a special level of creativity, as it is a common occurrence in a student's learning process. First words, first steps, and first drawings are all big places for mini-c creativity.
When you just start out learning, always comparing yourself to a Big-C is silly, as many Pro-C folks live happy, successful lives without reaching the legendary status of Big-C.
Why the Four-Cs Model Matters for Creative Growth
I tend to align with Beghetto and Kaufman's thoughts here, as connected to a bigger call for arts education:
"Many individuals may use their creativity to express themselves, sort out emotions, or explore ideas and life experiences. We believe that creativity for its own sake is a worthy end goal, regardless of how a creative product may be reviewed or received by a larger population."
Conceptualizing creativity in this way gives everyone the permission to experience creativity on many levels throughout your life. It's important for all creatives, young and old, to embrace these models as they learn in their art classrooms what creative thinking and processes look and feel like.
As Dr. Ruth Richards reminds us, everyday creativity "is not only universal, but necessary to our very survival as individuals and as a species."
Quick Reference: The Four Cs at a Glance
| Level | Who It's For | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-c | Beginners, children, new learners | First drawings, first attempts, personal discovery |
| Little-c | Everyone, every day | Cooking, problem-solving, journaling, daily creative acts |
| Pro-C | Dedicated practitioners | Professional artists, designers, performers with years of craft |
| Big-C | Historically significant creators | Beyoncé, Georgia O'Keeffe, Stephen King |
Reflection Questions for Educators and Creatives
Whether you're an art teacher, a parent, or simply someone exploring your own creative journey, these questions are worth sitting with:
- How can you use the Four C models of creativity in your classroom or your personal practice?
- How are mini-c acts celebrated?
- In what ways are you building both students' and your little-c habits?
- How can contemporary Pro-C artists be highlighted in your curricula, lessons, and/or conversations about creativity?
- Lastly, what can we learn from our Big-C sheroes and heroes?
Want to Go Deeper into Creativity?
At Far Out, we believe that understanding the science of creativity is just as important as practicing it. Whether you're a teacher, an outdoor adventurer, or an artist looking to grow, knowing where you are in your creative journey helps you take the next step.
Explore Far Out's creative retreats, outdoor art workshops, and visual journaling experiences that are grounded in creativity research and designed to grow your little-c (and beyond).
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