The Art of Travel

Exploring the longtime partnerships between travel and creativity.

by Kiera Dunlevy 

Graphic by Sarah Tocci

How frequently do you notice a camera bag or guitar case while strolling through the bustling corridors of an airport terminal? What about experimental fashion choices or endless shelves of “airplane reads” for sale? Based on my experiences, these are no unusual sights. From dads to documentarians, travel and creativity seem to go hand in hand.

As I’ve noticed this correlation between artistry and airfare, I’ve begun to wonder: do creatives just tend to travel more, or does travel tend to bring out our creative side?

One explanation for this phenomenon may be as simple as the fact that travel is embedded into the livelihoods of many creatives. Whether you’re a wildlife photographer off to a secluded island or a rock band kicking off your world tour, travel simply becomes a part of the job description when creative endeavors fuel your income. Perhaps more importantly, travel has historically played a role in aiding the creative process. From Claude Monet to Mark Twain, professional artists of various mediums frequently attribute travel as a source of inspiration for their work. 

So, what is stopping you from reaping these same benefits?

Whether you’re professionally trained in an artistic medium or lack any artist bone in your body, everyone has some sort of creative outlet or drive for ideation—travel might just be the catalyst needed to get those ideas flowing.

Break Free from Your Routine

When we confine ourselves to the same routine, people, and place for too long, we tend to find comfort in the expected. It’s easy to get caught up in your day-to-day responsibilities and hobbies, but breaking out of this comfort zone every once in a while allows us to reset our mind, opening it up to new or forgotten possibilities.

Experience Life From a New Perspective

There’s a whole world of people experiencing each day abundantly differently than you are. Travel acts as a reminder of just how large the world is, yielding opportunities to uncover unexpected personal passions or breakthroughs. Seeing life from these new angles often inspires travelers to document their adventures, which is one of the many ways self-appointed “non-creatives” often venture outside their element.

Expose Yourself to New Scenery

There’s a reason entire livelihoods revolve around travel. Even if you don’t go on a trip seeking creative inspiration, the urge to create or indulge in some form of art may approach you. Just one sweeping mountain view might inspire you to take up photography, or that one busker set up outside your hotel may introduce you to your new favorite genre of music. 

While I’m no scientist, I would argue from my own personal experiences and observations that travel promotes creativity. So, even if you don’t think of yourself as a particularly creative person, next time you go on a trip, consider indulging in whatever form of creative expression speaks most to you and you may surprise yourself with what you can create.