Creative Time Lab - #Understanding

Presentation

Creative Time Lab is a non-profit organisation dedicated to studying the impact of time on individual and collective well-being. Through research, knowledge sharing and the organisation of events such as conferences, workshops and festivals, the association aims to bridge the gap between science and society. By advancing the application of time-related research, Creative Time Lab addresses major societal challenges. The association also fosters the development of a dynamic community through social activities, encouraging both exploration and appreciation of the art and science of time.

Context and challenges

In France and around the world, young people face increasing psychological pressure and uncertainty about their future. Nearly 59% of them say they are deeply worried, and around 45% of French teenagers suffer from anxiety disorders. Climate change, a source of concern for over 80% of young people, accentuates this feeling of instability. This unease translates into a feeling of powerlessness, withdrawal and loss of meaning, in a world where traditional points of reference seem to be wavering. This trend reveals a decline in overall well-being, and highlights the urgent need to better understand and support young people’s mental health in the face of social, environmental and existential challenges.

The Space of Futurization, an immersive installation born in Copenhagen in 2019 and launched in France in 2024 at the Terres du Son festival, offers young people a creative environment to explore their personal and collective future. Through interactive and guided experiences, they share their emotions, imagine possible futures and engage with issues such as climate and social challenges. Based on psychological research, this initiative fosters hope, emotional regulation, social connection and the search for meaning, enabling young people to transform their anxiety into commitment.

Partnership with the APRIL Foundation

With the support of the APRIL Foundation, the project aims to :

– Refine and expand: improve the prototype for the 2025 Terres du Son festival with extended modules (e.g. “Landscapes of the Future”, “The Future of Food”, “The Future of Relationships”), enhanced facilitation and a comprehensive evaluation strategy;

– Develop a replicable model: create a toolbox to develop a model that can be adapted to different contexts, such as schools, health services and community programs, in order to reach a wider audience;

– Measuring impact: develop and implement a rigorous impact assessment: a mixed-methods approach (using a variety of established methods) to measure changes in anxiety, sense of agency and future orientation.

The results will enable the creation of a replication kit and open‑access documentation, allowing lessons learned to be widely shared and the initiative to be adapted to other contexts and audiences.