Imagination Now

The Oregon Imagination Conversation, hosted by Metropolitan Group, took place on October 4, 2011, at the Ziba Auditorium in Portland. Metropolitan Group, an agency that provides strategic and creative services to social purpose organizations, actually helped Lincoln Center Institute (LCI) design the national Imagination Conversations initiative—work for which we remain very grateful.

The Conversation was co-sponsored by a diverse array of major state players, such as the Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Health and Science University, the University of Oregon’s School of Architecture and Allied Arts (A&AA), Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management, and design and innovation consultancy Ziba.

The declared purpose of the event was to “discuss ways to better foster, cultivate, and leverage imagination to improve our economy, educational system, and general well-being.” Frances Bronet, dean of A&AA, moderated a discussion among over 170 attendees, including elected officials and leaders from the public sector, K-12 education, higher ed, science, technology, manufacturing, creative and social services, and the arts. Members of the media were also present.

A couple of the pressing questions that were addressed at the Conversation: “What is the state of imagination in Oregon?” “What are the biggest issues or opportunities that we face in Oregon, and how could they benefit from imagination?” By all accounts, these and other prompts led to a stimulating and provocative afternoon of discussion.

LCI thanks Metropolitan Group for adding Oregon to the growing list of states that have held successful Imagination Conversations, and for bringing the critical dialogue on imagination, creativity, and innovation to Portland.

Click here to view all Imagination Conversation Reports.

Addendum (10/12/11): Read an article about the Oregon Imagination Conversation, from the October 9 issue of The Oregonian, here.

Filed under: Imagination Conversation Reports Tagged: | imagination, innovation, Lincoln Center Institute, imagination conversations, creativity, LCI, Oregon Imagination Conversation, Metropolitan Group, Ziba Auditorium, Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Health and Science University, University of Oregon, School of Architecture and Allied Arts, Willamette University, Atkinson Graduate School of Management, Ziba, Frances Bronet