This thesis explores the concept of artistic integrity. A historical foundation for artistic integrity is laid to provide a context within which eight artists' constructions of the concept can be placed. To date, little research has been conducted to discover how artists feel about artistic integrity, despite the fact that the concept is used frequently both in the popular media, and in arts and creative industries policy and research. Secondary research into European Romanticism and the growth of the creative industries traces the complex development of artistic integrity through to contemporary New Zealand. Grounded by an internal-idealist ontology, a subjectivist epistemology, and an interpretive paradigmatic framework, qualitative, semi-structured interviews with eight artists were conducted to investigate how artistic integrity is perceived by those working within the New Zealand arts environment. The multifaceted nature of the history of artistic integrity is mirrored in the complexity of the responses from the artists involved in this research. Key themes to emerge from the analysis of the interview data were the personally constructed and contextual character of artistic integrity, its importance to the artists involved, and its social contestation. However, the opinions offered on these themes were often very different, and occasionally even contradictory. The artists' responses illuminate how differently artistic integrity could be interpreted throughout the creative community, and question the validity of current uses and definitions of the concept. Most importantly, this research provides an opportunity for artists to offer their understandings of artistic integrity, as surely it is artists who should be determining the validity and meaning of their integrity.

<p>My analysis consists of an in-depth study of the experience of a group of development programme participants who were exposed to the use of art and artistic work in organisation and leadership development, resulting in positive effects. My starting point is creativity as a concept according to paediatrician and psychoanalyst DW Winnicott who stresses how important playing and creativity is for us, even as an adult, for us to utilise our full potential. He believes that we have a psychological space – a crossover area – where the outer, objective reality and the inner, subjective reality meet. Playing, creative development and experiences occur in this space. The purpose of my paper is to investigate art and artistic creation to determine if it can be used in the work environment as a means to provide individuals access to the crossover space, thereby developing creativity and the creative power.</p><p>Risks have also been addressed within my paper. Art and culture can be brought down to a level where its use is only justifiable in those instances where value and economic benefits can be shown. In my opinion, this risk must be taken seriously. This does not mean, however, that one should not work across borders. This is about letting art and culture provide value in the leadership and organisation development by concurrently complementing logical and rationale methods, plans, and decision-making with the goal of striving to maintain the integrity and autonomy of the artistic endeavours.</p>

My analysis consists of an in-depth study of the experience of a group of development programme participants who were exposed to the use of art and artistic work in organisation and leadership development, resulting in positive effects. My starting point is creativity as a concept according to paediatrician and psychoanalyst DW Winnicott who stresses how important playing and creativity is for us, even as an adult, for us to utilise our full potential. He believes that we have a psychological space – a crossover area – where the outer, objective reality and the inner, subjective reality meet. Playing, creative development and experiences occur in this space. The purpose of my paper is to investigate art and artistic creation to determine if it can be used in the work environment as a means to provide individuals access to the crossover space, thereby developing creativity and the creative power. Risks have also been addressed within my paper. Art and culture can be brought down to a level where its use is only justifiable in those instances where value and economic benefits can be shown. In my opinion, this risk must be taken seriously. This does not mean, however, that one should not work across borders. This is about letting art and culture provide value in the leadership and organisation development by concurrently complementing logical and rationale methods, plans, and decision-making with the goal of striving to maintain the integrity and autonomy of the artistic endeavours.