COLORADO IMAGINATION CONVERSATION ADDRESS TODAY’S CREATIVITY

COLORADO IMAGINATION CONVERSATION ADDRESS TODAY’S CREATIVITY 

   On October 20, the Colorado Creative Industries division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development, held the Colorado Imagination Conversation at the Denver Botanic Gardens. About 100 people related to the creative industry attended the event. (Pictured L-R: David Milofski, David Slayden, Lara Merriken, Dr. Art Jones, Brian Vogt)

   The Imagination Conversation is a project of the Lincoln Center Institute that is working to hold this event in all 50 states. ELAINE MARINER, Executive Director of the Colorado Council on the Arts, made the Imagination Conversation a project for the creative industry and the results far exceeded expectations.

   Imagination, the ability to visualize new possibilities, is a prerequisite for success in the 21st century global economy. America has long been at the vanguard of creation and innovation but an economic downturn and increased worldwide competition mean that we cannot take our position for granted. Now more than ever, we must teach imagination, creativity and innovation in our schools and nurture it in our communities.

   The panel (conversationalists) was moderated by BRIAN VOGT, CEO of the Denver Botanic Gardens, who hosted the event. Members participating included DAVID, MILOFSKY, Author, Columnist and Professor; DAVID SLAYDEN, Founder and Director of Boulder Digital Works; LARA MERRIKEN, Founder and Creative Director, LARABAR; and DR. ART JONES, Professor and Founder of The Spirituals Project.

   The discussion opened with “what is imagination.” The feeling among the conversationalists was that today’s society expects people to choose a career and pursue only that career even if it is not their passion. The truly imaginative don’t worry about what is expected of them and pursue their passion without fear of failure.

   The entire conversation was recorded and will be available on Channel 8. For more information about the Colorado Creative Industries go online to www.coloarts.org.