The conversation will be titled, “Envision a Vital Springfield,” and will focus on issues that specifically affect the city.
The Bing Arts Center on Sumner Avenue in Springfield.SPRINGFIELD – The Bing Arts Center will host an upcoming “Imagination Conversation,” part of a nationwide series of discussions that are a project of the Lincoln Center Institute.
Sponsored by the “X” Main Street Corporation, the event will include a moderator, five panelists and up to 50 guests invited to promote imagination and creative thinking.
“It’s a good way to bring people to the table and get the conversation going,” said Brian F. Hale, executive director of the Bing Arts Center.
The conversation will take place at the Bing Arts Center, 716 Sumner Ave., on April 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., with a reception at 5 p.m.
Led by moderator Steven Dahlberg, principal of the International Centre for Creativity and Innovation, the panel will include Michael Jonnes, executive director of the Springfield Symphony; Joshua Bogin, director of Springfield Magnet Schools; Magdalena Gomez, of Teatro Vida; John Judge, director of development for the City of Springfield, and Robert McCollum, former Springfield School Committee member.
The Springfield “Imagination Conversations” event falls at the end of a two-year project by the Lincoln Center Institute. The project is aimed at building national awareness of imagination as a vital tool in work and in life, sparking dialogue about imagination in both the professional and educational spectrums.
While many such forums have taken place in large cities and venues, Hale said although the “X” Main Street Corporation is a small organization, it was an ideal forum to be held here.
“We’re very forward thinking,” he said. “Our whole message is about imagination and creativity. We thought it would be great to involve Springfield in these conversations.”
Following all the conversations held across the country, the Lincoln Center Institute will hold a national summit in New York this summer to come up with a summary of the conversations as a whole.
“The thinking is, (imagination and creativity) need to be fostered and emphasized,” Hale said.
“It’s not all about how we need to get more arts into our society, although that’s certainly the case. It’s about using imagination to improve workforce development, urban problems, transportation and energy.”
Hale said it’s exciting that a city the size of Springfield has the opportunity to host one of these discussions.
“At the very worst it’s a great networking opportunity, and at its best it will help the city move forward a little bit,” he said.
Hale said the local conversation will be titled, “Envision a Vital Springfield,” and will focus on issues that specifically affect the city. Each panelist will be asked to talk about imagination in his or her life and work, and its importance in their role as a leader.
The group will also discuss ways that schools can foster imagination in the classroom.
“I think things are improving, but we have a lot of issues,” Hale said.
“Financial stability is in question like it is everywhere, our graduation rate is poor, workforce development is questionable, and attracting new businesses is a question mark. That’s not to say it’s not a great place, but we need to be part of this national conversation going on.”
Hale said some might be critical of the process, but they shouldn’t be.
“People might say, ‘You’re just talking about it,’ but you have to get started that way,” he said. “You have to get creative and start working.”
Hale said this kind of project is great for the “X” Main Street Corporation and the Bing Arts Center.
“We’re a non-profit community arts center being built right here in Forest Park,” he said.
“We’re trying to make an impact to improve arts accessibility. It’s part of being a healthy society, I think.”
For more information on the project, visit http://lciweb.lincolncenter.org/imaginationconversation.