Abstract:
Does your community integrate new ways of thinking into its existing fabric to become a place where citizens want to live and work, new business wants to call home and visitors want to return time and again?

What blend of amenities increase the “value” of your community to its citizens, businesses, government and visitors to the area? What makes it unique? What conditions must be created in order to create a community that benefits us personally, spiritually and economically?

Creative cities don’t just happen – it requires a new level or thought, ideas and action. There’s a fundamental consciousness emerging that is common to creative communities successful in the art of “placemaking”.
           
Attendees will learn:

• What factors are important to creating a true quality of life in your community?
• How urban sprawl and loss of neighborhoods are homogenizing cities.
• The correlation between the loss of community identity and the lack of art and culture programs.
• How to develop a vision - from revitalizing your downtown business district, developing a sculpture garden in the park or creating neighborhood venues where people can congregate and share ideas; visualize all the ways that can benefit the community and create a sense of place.
• How to identify solutions and build community consensus from the ground up.
• How to design creativity into places, activities and events throughout your community.