Mission
Creative New Jersey is dedicated to fostering creativity, innovation, and sustainability by empowering cross-sector partnerships in commerce, education, philanthropy, government, and culture in order to ensure dynamic communities and a thriving economy.
Core programming consists of a series of community-wide, cross-sector, and multi-generational convenings focused on creativity, innovation and sustainability across NJ, linked by a technology platform enabling statewide exchange of ideas and the formation of new partnerships. The project creates unique opportunities for intentional, action-oriented discussions between diverse sectors to explore areas of collaboration and to share resources and information.
Introduction
Creative New Jersey began in 2009 when a group of like-minded professionals from education, culture, sustainability, and philanthropy joined forces to discuss solutions for tackling some of our state’s most challenging problems. In June 2011, the Creative New Jersey presented a 2-day Open Space “Call to Collaboration” convening. Sponsored by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, this event attracted 150 diverse leaders from multiple sectors to discuss “How can creativity and innovation revitalize New Jersey?” Utilizing the dynamic open space format, the participants created the agenda and drove the conversations. More than 70 topics were suggested which resulted in 55 discussion groups. Participants were highly engaged, assumptions were challenged, cross-sector partnerships were born, and a renewed sense of hope was instilled. This convening highlighted the groundswell of support for a movement that fosters imagination, creativity, innovation and sustainability through cross-sector collaborations.
The success of this initial event has led to the development of Call to Collaboration: Creative Community Convenings, a statewide series scheduled to launch in the spring of 2012. Utilizing the open-space format, these convenings will create a landscape where individuals from, and invested in, a particular community can assemble together to fuel the discussion on transforming, revitalizing, and/or enhancing their own communities. The convenings gather people “at the intersection” of seemingly disparate disciplines, allowing for a host of diverse ideas to combine with others, thereby encouraging an explosion of potentially groundbreaking, new ideas.
These Calls to Collaboration will:
- Stimulate action-oriented conversations at a local level
Stimulate cross-sector partnerships and multi-generational collaboration
Enhance the flow of relevant information between sectors
Build a movement for more creative schools, businesses and communities
Foster the creative economy throughout the state
Together, county by county, we will begin to transform our Garden State through spirited, ground-breaking discussions which challenge the status-quo and encourage new partnerships and strategies that have the potential for reinvigorating the local and statewide economy while strengthening the fabric of our communities.
Photos
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Videos
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I'm very excited for Creative Monmouth to begin on Monday!
Looking forward to it!
I was on the National Creativity Network websinar yesterday for Dr. Jonah Lehrer. He talked about the importance of day dreaming in creativity because the most creative ideas often come at the least expected moment. How do you day dream? When do you day dream? How do we teach our children to day dream?
It will soon be our first anniversary of the Inaugural Call to Collaboration! We have been up to lots, what have you been doing? I asked that of someone recently and they first said, "not much." But when we talked about it more, they realized that they many of their actions this past year were related to ideas from the Call to Collaboration or people they met. We would love to here your thoughts!
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!
Test Discussion post by Joe Centimole.
What better way to get your creative juices flowing than to attend the acclaimed NJ Summer 2012 Artist/Teacher Institute! aTi provides educators with transformational, in-depth, hands-on experiences in a variety of art forms that encourage professional growth, discovery and creativity. aTi participants learn new skills to integrate arts into the curriculum, reinforce the NJCCCS and connect with a community of peers in an unparalleled professional... [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 June 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]
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/
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: 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]
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]
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 »
How to Connect
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