Can creativity be measured?

No. Creativity CAN NOT be measured.  In order to measure something accurately, it is important to use the same system or unit of measurement so that it can be compared to another. The purpose of measuring it to find establish a standard in which other things can be compared to, replicated, or modified. What unit can be used to measure creativity?

Some may say standardized testing. CogAT, ITBS are tests that have been said to measure the gifted potential of students based on creative and logical exercises.  I strongly disagree on sooo many levels! How can you measure something irregular, malleable, and abstract with a tool as rigid as standardized testing? 

With that said, I think creativity CAN:

1) be taught. People can learn creative thinking at any age, in any area, from just about anyone.  Grandmothers can teach their grandchildren how to scrapbook, art teachers can teach students different styles and mediums for art work, students can teach other how to perform a hobby, families can help one another rearrange furniture, parents can watch their child play with an item incorrectly but functionally, people of all ages can write stories...the list goes on. How can you measure that?

2) be enhanced. Many people attend training sessions and workshops, visit tutors and teachers, watch videos, read books, etc. to enhance a creative area that they wish to develop. For most, one creative area is interrelated with another (ie. interior design is connected to color schemes, furniture arrangement, and designs) and by strengthening these areas, creativity is broadened and improved.

3) be aesthetic. We all have a variety of experiences that create our schema of what is appealing to us. This can range from a variety of art forms such as scultpures, paintings, books, and movies to fashion, car choices, music, and landscaping. These allow for us to have preferences in our choices and the variety of forms allows for all of us to find, establish, or create forms that are aesthetically pleasing to us.

In summary, I do not think that creativity can be measured, but I do think that it is a form of expression for all.  Some of these expressions we identify with, question, understand, disagree with, misinterpret, etc. How can that be measured? Who's to say that one creative idea is not as creative as another?