Discussing the futures of creative arts practices, innovation, policy, and the creative economy
Contributed By: Julian Bleecker
Published On: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 12:26:45 PDT
Updated On: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 16:41:41 PDT
Why do I blog this? Igniting and reinvigorating the value of creative practice is a driving motivation and purpose of Near Future Laboratory. Summits like this one are a unique opportunity to connect with other organizations and individuals who are similarly motivated, recognizing the value of a well-supported creative culture and economy is instrumental to maintaining thriving cultures. Bringing creativity and structure into rich meaningful collaboration is the 'why' of Near Future Laboratory.The Creative Vitality Summit 2024, was held at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, and hosted by Westaf.org
There were a series of panels that were broadcast live online, and plenty of interstitial conversations and opportunities to associate and dive into specific topics, learn about the ambitions and concerns of creative practitioners, organization leaders, and those who are operating in defense of creativity in a world in need of a bit more imagination.
I participated in a panel called “Artificial Intelligence and the Creative Economy”, moderated by my good friend John Marshall co-founder of rootoftwo and tenured Associate Professor of Design at the University of Michigan, and with Xinran Yuan Producer & Co-Curator, Rhizome 7x7, Michelle Kaspzak, Curator, and Cody Borst Director of Technology Innovation at Meow Wolf. Our questions were centered around examining the ways that artificial intelligence is reshaping art and society.
The Creative Vitality Summit offered a unique opportunity for myself and the other attendees to engage in conversation around the complex ecosystem of the creative economy. The agenda is designed to emphasize the importance of innovation, policy-making, and infrastructure in supporting artists and creative professionals.
You can find all of the panel discussions on Westaf’s Youtube Page
Session 2: Technology and Creative Practice today, April 9th, from 13:00-14:15 MST (UTC-7) with Salome Asega, Director of New Inc at the New Museum, Cezanne Charles, Co-founder of rootoftwo, Wade Wallerstein, Curator at Gray Area, and Artist Alice Yuan Zhang.
Session 3: Immersive Realities with an XR component titled “Immersive Realities: XR in Arts, Education, and Digital Transformation”. The panel promises to explores how extended reality technologies enhance art creation, access, and learning processes in education, highlighting immersive interfaces’ roles in fostering art access, creation, and digital transformation.
Westaf, the organizers, developed a platform for discussions on how culture, technology, and innovation intersect to foster growth and diversity within both digital and physical communities. There are panels that are meant to address the critical need for policies and frameworks that support creative development, so that we can further ensure a dynamic and inclusive future for creative practices. With a focus on the intersections of technology and creativity, the Creative Vitality Summit has brought together a diverse array of participants, from artists to curators and researchers, to explore thoughtful and meaningful applications of technology in society. Attendees, both in-person and virtual, will have the chance to engage with industry leaders, innovative panelists, and explore collaborative opportunities across different technology ecosystems. The hope is that the summit operates as a co-learning experience, providing insights into how arts and culture can influence technology and vice versa. This engagement is intended not only to spark creativity but also to offer glimpses into the emerging futures of arts and culture and their implications for society.