The New Institute for Creative Discovery

Inspiring people through creative exploration, sensitivity and perception.



We live in a world that is undergoing rapid change.  We have been trained to believe that the only way we can succeed in this world is to learn and perform skills to the satisfaction of others. Performance equals success.

Unfortunately, this model of performance has carried over into the arts and sciences. The execution of recognizable skills has become more important than personal perspective, exploration or discovery.

We should never forget that the skills of today are the result of creative problem solving.  In order to break new ground and have greater understanding of the world, we must allow the creative spirit to wonder, to imagine, to dance, to play.

You have the unique ability to experience the world as only you can experience it.  You have the potential to share, to inspire, to reveal, to shape the world you live in. Your inspiration has the power to inspire others.

Make the most of your life.  Rediscover the possibilities.

Drawing from his own experience in sport, science, theater and clown, Jef Johnson is inspiring people all over the world through the power of creative curiosity, discovery, and play.

Workshops, Labs and Conferences

offer participants a unique opportunity to break free from the overwhelming control of self doubt, expectation and explanation.

 “In youth we are twofold, our innate intelligence coexists with the
stupidity of our inexperience.”

Fernando Pessoa

Jef Johnson is a leader in the field of performance theory. His research focuses on naive experience, consciousness, play, patterned behavior and social identity.  He is a principal clown in the Broadway and International touring company of Slava’s Snowshow. He has been investigating performance and play for the past 25 years and has more than 20 years of experience performing in a wide range of styles.

He has given Master Classes, Lectures and Workshops for many organizations, theatre companies and universities, including Cirque du Soleil, Nouveau Clown Institute, Circo Sentido, Cirko de Mente, Camp Broadway, Slava’s Snowshow, University of Houston, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, SUNY, CUNY, NYU and CENART.