The Role of The Arts in Today’s Technological World: An Evening With Oklahoma Creativity Founder Burns Hargis
by Jaclyn Reynolds

In today’s world innovation and technology go hand in hand. The leading figures in the dot com revolution used skills of creativity and imagination to bring about tremendous change in society. What has happened because of that change? Do the arts still have a role to play as we educate our kids for the world of tomorrow?

These questions are at the heart of the Promoting Creativity Conference sponsored by the Ohio Arts Council on October 5 and 6, 2007. This annual event brings together artists, school leaders, and members of the public from across the state to explore the role of the arts in education and the keynote address is free and open to the public.

Burns Hargis will discuss the role of innovation and creativity in society on Friday, October 5, 2007 at 8 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, 77 South High Street in downtown Columbus.

Hargis is a founder of Oklahoma Creativity, a statewide initiative for innovative thinking and action. He is also vice-chairman of the Bank of Oklahoma and a former candidate for Governor of Oklahoma.

“Creativity is not merely the act of producing a creative work. Creativity is the language we use, the way we think, and our ability to solve the problems that need solving,” according to Hargis. “We must promote new opportunities for creativity and innovation at all levels – in education, in government, in the workplace and in the daily lives of people.”

"This will be a great opportunity for Ohioans to hear about a model for collaboration on a state level,” added Jeff Hooper, Arts Learning Director of the Ohio Arts Council. “The goal in Oklahoma has been described as ‘making a thousand flowers bloom’ and I hope that this visit will plant the seeds for something like that here.”

Other conference sessions are limited to Artist and Residence program artists and representatives from the Ohio Arts Council funded residency sites. For more information about this event visit the OAC Web site at www.oac.state.oh.us

The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.

PHOTO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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