There have been articles and books written about this subject.

My guess is that bi-polar doesn't likely convey creative or intellectual gifts to the afflicted, not automatically anyways. However, in a sustained hypomanic or manic state that doesn't end in total self destruction its very possible that a great deal will get accomplished and some of it might be brilliant. A person with some gifts might really have their gifts blossom through a manic episode.

Someone pointed out to me that they can tell I'm on the verge of mania because my memory and mental acuity is becoming much sharper. They enjoy my being energetic and engaged but worry that they may find I have broken into their house to write REM lyrics on their walls in my feces. I exaggerate a bit in the last sentence but only a bit.

Mania can bestow extra creativity or extra focus. Its not a force that is in any way reliable. Aside from mania do I think the average person with bi-polar is more creative than your average non-bi-polar? Mostly no, or a slight slant towards bi-polars being a bit more creative, But you'd expect people who live through that intensity to pick up a few skills along the way, wouldn't you?