A place for people to reconnect, re-invigorate, enroll others to help move forward an idea and report on progress. It’s the hub for creativity and innovation. What's next for you, for this movement? PLEASE REMEMBER, YOU HAVE TO LOG IN TO LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS/THOUGHTS!

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michele scott: Link Community School in Newark has adopted me and I have adopted the school. The school is creative and they mobilize resources to supplement the education experience by delivering electives led by outside stakeholders. Please take a look. http://ww... [read more]

Karen Hatcher: Today I used the Open Space format for the Celebrate NJ annual board meeting. It was fabulous!!! We covered so much ground, everyone was engaged, and we moved the group's sense of commitment and connection to a whole new level-- outstanding!

Suzanne Daigle: Powerful message in this video by Gary Hamel on Re-inventing Management. http://www.managementexchange.com/video/gary-hamel-reinventing-technology-human-accomplishment Seems we were on the right path last June at the Creative NJ event by using the pr... [read more]

Thank you for your interest and dedication to the Creativity and Innovation movement to revitalize New Jersey! Please take a moment to share your thoughts with our community. What did you think of the July 14th and 15th event? How would you describe it looking back on it now? How has the event changed you, given you new perspectives? What’s percolating for you now? What conversations have you had with others since the event? What do you think Cre... [read more]

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michele scott: Hello All. Happy Summer to you. I participated in the National Creativity Network (NCN) last Saturday. Wendy, thanks for the invite. I believe the conversation is ratcheting up and I am passionate about being engaged in it. I also concur, its time fo... [read more]

Karen Pinzolo: We met briefly during the conference. I direct Arts Plan NJ implementation which connects the dots between sectors. I would love to work with you on any initiatives that would add the arts to STEM. You can reach me at karen@artpridenj.com

Karen Hatcher: Wanted to share this article with the Creative NJ community, especially those interested in education. We were discussing the need for play in our children's lives and in school. Check this out... http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44123365/ns/today-paren... [read more]

While we all crave for answers, creativity often comes from asking the right questions. So the first step toward creativity is to un-learn the linear thinking we are used to and begin to challenge our existing assumptions about the world. Imagination and possibilities don't come unless we get "out of the box," which means getting out of our comfort zone. Stop looking for answers; what's the question?

America’s Imagination Summit, the first national gathering on the place of imagination in education, will take place on July 21 and 22, 2011, at Lincoln Center in New York City. Leaders from business, government, education, science, the arts, and other fields will commit to giving American students the skills they need for success in the 21st century: imagination, creativity, and innovation. Lincoln Center Institute, the educational arm of Lincol... [read more]

Missed a session you wanted to attend? Browse the list of session reports below (please note only the most recent 60 or so are listed below, due to a glitch we are trying to fix), or click on a tag on the main blog page to browse reports by topic. You can also download this book of proceedings (PDF). Content list may take a few seconds to load: Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Ruth (Frost) - I would like to join you at the Maker Faire in September to explore whether this is a good event for Creative NJ. Perhaps others would like to join us? http://makerfaire.com/newyork/2011/callformakers/

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Rose Gonnella: Hi Mona, Okay - I'm going to keep notes on who would like to attend. If we go as a group we can get a good perspective on the faire. Were you in the group that discussed the Maker Faire idea? Just curious.

Dee Billia: Hi Rose, I am interested in this project also. It was very exciting to think about the potential during our discussion Dee

Ann Marie Miller: Count me in!

Convener: Frank PopperParticipants: Joe Barris, Jonathan Elliott, Robin Middleman, AthenaSarafides, Christopher Seiz, Willa SpicerWe had a wide-ranging discussion whose conclusion was that ugliness issubjective. Willa Spicer, for instance, pointed out that she grew up inSteubenville, Ohio, and after that every place looked beautiful. We agreed that NJ mixed schlock and hodgepodge, was halfway to everywhere, had allkinds of diversity to offer, wa... [read more]

Initiator: Frank Popper Participants: Joe Barris, Jonathan Elliott, Robin Middleman, Athena Sarafides, Christopher Seiz, Willa Spicer Summary Highlights: We had a wide-ranging discussion whose conclusion was that ugliness issubjective. Willa Spicer, for instance, pointed out that she grew up inSteubenville, Ohio, and after that every place looked beautiful. We agreed that NJ mixed schlock and hodgepodge, was halfway to everywhere, had allkinds o... [read more]

Here are the REAL photos of the Closing Remarks by individual participants at the Creative NJ Conference. See the full gallery on Posterous Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Initiator: Heather McCall, Main Street New Jersey Participants:Mona Hennessy, Luna State CompanyKadie Dempsey, Arts Council of the Morris AreaRuthi Byrne, Zinn Graves & FieldChristopher Seiz, Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & SciencesRegan Young, RYEBREAD ArchitectsEileen Kennedy, American Littoral SocietyBeth McDonald, The Community AdvocatesMarianne Lods, Millville Development Corp.Ronda Abbruzzese, Main Street WoodburyKevin Li, The P... [read more]

  06-14-11_Session 9-Place-based Communities.docx Download this file Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Initiator: Bobbie FelipParticipants: Shauwea Hamilton, Marilynn Schneider, John Loughton, Laura Packer, Steve Runk, John McEwen, Elizabeth Murphy, Swena Gulati, John Pietrowski, Dan Aubrey, Linda Melamed, Krystle Seit, Rachel Evans, Cathy Griffin, Joni Elliott, Jamie Cloud, Ronda Abruzzese, Terri McNichol, Ann Betterton, Maureen HeffernanSummary highlights and key points from our discussion:Language:InclusiveDescriptiveComprehensiveUseful to use... [read more]

Photos taken during the afternoon sessions on Day 2 of the Creative New Jersey Conference. See the full gallery on Posterous Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Initiator: Tahirih Smith Attendees - John Gaskins, Alison Hayes, Athena Sarafides, Dee Billia, Jef Buehler, Peggi Strumfels, Marilyn Schneider, Dan Aubrey, Isha Vyas What does living "creatively" mean to you?- Saving $ / Reducing cost of living- Using less resources- Living with less clutter - Re purposing things/ rethinking waste- Transforming/re assessing values- Simply being/ Enjoying experiences. finding opportunities to learn and create exp... [read more]

Initiator Frank Banisch Participants: Kristin Muller and Rebecca Perkins.   This session initiated a discussion about the potential for collaboration between for profit and non-profit entities.  Among the opportunities discussed: develop strategies to allow cross pollination among business and the creative community initiate a continuing conversation aimed at developing ways to foster collaboration explore the depressed real estate market as an ... [read more]

Facilitator: Michele Scott Attendees: Marianne Lods; Melina Garcia; Nathan Rix; Anita Thomas; Karen Hatcher; Maria Nieves; Allison Tratner; M L Marigliano; James Davy; Jamie Selinger; Dave Janosz; Isha Vyas; Emilio DeLia; Jonathan Cloud; Michelle Knapik; Katherine Kish; Matt Kassel; Athena Sarafides; Alison Hayes; Rob Lewandowski; Zenon Christodoulou; Dana EgreczkyParticipants: ROI in Non-Profits Articulating ROI Overcoming Recession-Based Excus... [read more]

Initiator: Maureen HeffernanParticipants: Jaimie Cloud, Richard Kroth, Michelle Marigliano,Ted Lind, Elizabeth Murphy, Mike Bagley, Matthew Kassel, Winnie Patton, Linda Melamed, Rachel Evans, Daniel Oscar, Cathy Griffin, Malini Waghnay, John A. Pietrowski, John Laughton, Nathan Rix, John McEwen, Paul Miller, Laura Szwah, Nancy Haig, Willa SpicerWe subtitled our session "Taking First Steps"The group brainstormed ideas that had occurred during the... [read more]

Initiator:  Heather McCall, Main Street New Jersey Participants :Steve Runk, NJ Council on the ArtsMolly Kaufman, HANDSIsha Vyas, Middlesex Co. Cultural & Heritage CommissionKaren Hatcher, Celebrate NJ & NJ Students in ActionLori Braunstein, Sustainable Cherry HillAlison Hayes, Graphic MagicWendy Liscow, Geraldine R. Dodge FoundationSwena Gulati,  Arts Build Communities- RutgersJoe Barris, Monmouth County Planning Dept.Richard Kroth, College of ... [read more]

Initiator: Donna Coulson Participants: Jeff FeldmanPeggy SturmfelsBarbara MammerKatie DempseyDanny TomezTimothy PenebiancoSteve LipskiRuthi ByrneQuestion: What can adults do to reinvent themselves and land a job in NJ where the Unemployment rate is +9%?  Some creative ideas from this group: 1. Engage them in alternate route teaching especially HS Math, Science, Physics. Not opportunities now in Biology, Elementary Ed. See web page for NJ Teachin... [read more]

Initiator: Maureen HeffernanBreakout Session on Next Steps for Creative NJ led by Elizabeth Murphy we need a creativity plan incorporating the arts, education, environment, scientific, corporate and health sectors (all inclusive) research the International District of Creativity designation and its benefits (Ted Lind) Investigate an arts & business council since we have many national and international corporations in NJ (John McEwen) develop a c... [read more]

Initiator: Steve Lipski, Jersey City Economic Development CorporationParticipants: Marianne Lods, Susan Tacuni, Joyce Luhrs, John McEwen, Alison Hayes, Katherine Kish, Jeff Buelher, Isha Vyas, Jonathan Cloud, Rose Gonnella, Josh Cheilles, Sarah Caputo, Dave Janosz, Rob Lewandowski, Mathew Kassell, Melina GarciaQuestions: 1.) Does (should) it compete with the arts? If so, what would the ground rules look like?Small business is an art form, entrep... [read more]

Collaborations Group The GOAL:  Develop Place Based, Interdisciplinary/Intergenerational/inter-organizational collaborations to develop elegant networks of mutually beneficial relationships that are regenerative and sustainable over time. 1.  Jaimie, Maureen, Wendy, Terry and Linda M. will organize 3 half day design charrettes over the next year in which creativity and sustainability people come together to explore connections and create collabo... [read more]

Education systems and curriculum 1) Know what is out there -- who's doing it? what are they doing? Don't reinvent the wheel when the wheel is already exists Malina will follow up on sustainability, John and Bob in the arts 2) Utilize new contacts, insights, and relationships from CNJ -- make a contact immediately (within next week or two) by email or phone Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Initiator: Kristin Muller Peters Valley Craft Center Participants: Leo Vasquez, Isha Vyas, Ann Marie Miller , Frank Popper, Eduardo Garcia, Winnie Fatton, Charles T. Miller, Ruth Fost, Suzanne Macauley Highlight Summary The discussion revolved around ways to educate communities about what arts and culture they vitalize communities. The following are some of information the group gathered: -Americans for the Arts and Art Pride NJ has metrics and ... [read more]

Initiator: Participants: What Actions Can Municipalities/Communities Take To Support Creative Culture/Sustainability?1.  Planning for Open Space/Green Infrastructure/Preserved Land     In addition to an open space element of the Master Plan, make a connection between open space/preserved land using parks as hubs. 2.  In terms of the Sustainable Jersey program and the action "Municipal Support for Creative Culture" these were the suggested action... [read more]

Initiator: Participants: Eduardo, Leo Vazquez, Joe Barris, Dan Fendefor, Elizabeth Halvershon, Ann Marie Miller, Janice S., Regan , Leland, Karen Pinzolo, Robin M.Zach HonoroffInnovation v.s. creativity? Scientific research Creativity is necessary in order to lead to innovation.  Innovation is the result.There is a language problem in the discussion of creativity.  Creativity is perceived as "fun" while innovation is considered a "serious busine... [read more]

Initiator: Michele Scott Participants: Amy Cairns Harrison, Katherine Kish, Zenon Christodoulos, Jeff Feldman, Krystle Seit, Alison Hayes Summary Highlights Issues, Challenges and Opportunities related to inter-generational diversity: Perceptions vary Communication styles impact knowledge transfer Environment to support inter-generational learning Intergerational living (Generations United Organization) Peer Definition - take into account age bu... [read more]

Initiator: Shauwea Hamilton Participants: Lynn Lemyre, Diane Macins, Karen Chiqounis, Joni Elliott, Elliott Lee, Laura Packer, Emilio Delia, Alysia Souder, Christopher Seiz, Chris Daggett, John Laughton, Karen HatcherSummary Highlights The audience was a nice mix of funders and organization leaders.  The conversation began on the topic of how can funders support creativity.  First, discussion was around supporting arts.  One participant spoke ab... [read more]

Initiator: Leo VazquezParticipants: Kristin Miller, Leo Vazquez, Kadie Dempsey, Danny Tamez, John Pietrowski, Kathy Collins, Frank Banisch, Leland Edgecombe, Katherine Kish, Alysia SouderKey points from session: *The creative process is not valued by managers and leaders who focus on "rational processes" for decision making.  Why?--Fear of failure--Fear of losing power--Need to constantly show results --We are trained to devalue open creative pr... [read more]

Initiator: Karen Pinzolo Attendees:Shauwea HamiltonRegan YoungElizabeth HalverstamKaren ChigounisBarbara Reuther Project 0 at Harvard had a program called Studio Thinking which said patterns of thinking of art making transfered over to every subject area.We have to get students ready for the 21st century by helping them to create content, remix things, cull and delivery information.  Students and teachers can learn to use technologies together,.... [read more]

The conversations continue. Pictures from the afternoon sessions of the second day of the Creative New Jersey. See the full gallery on Posterous Permalink | Leave a comment  »