SparkCon

Given a blank slate and a simple question, four diverse groups of artists, independent busi-nesspeople, and technology professionals set about imagining the Triangle as a thriving creative scene. What follows are the wish lists, recommendations, and wildest dream ideas that emerged from the AllSpark, ArtSpark, IndySpark, and TechSpark workshops in September of 2006.

How to make a thriving Technology scene:

Go for Wow
The Triangle is known inter-nationally as an innovative place. That inventive spirit should be welcomed through widely accessible amenities like public art, public WIFI, diverse performances, and stunning architecture. In other words, to be truly creative in technological endeav-ors, people must be surrounded by creative outlets.

Create Energy Synergy
A strong desire to communicate with each other was an idea that emerged as important to the diverse group of participants. Freely associating in coffee shops, open air community spaces, and beautiful and innovative architecture support this type of communication as do programs that encourage the building of more communal and incubator spaces where new ideas are constantly fostered. The general consensus being that inclusive environments offering a feeling of comfort, inviting atmosphere, and safety provide a base for inspiration.

Jump in a Mind Pool
Great ideas are commonplace in the Triangle. Stunning insights and exciting R&D advance-ments in everything from science and computers to bioscience and medicine are pretty much an everyday occurrence here. However, in order to maintain and motivate a leading-edge technology scene, people need faster access to each other’s ideas and the Triangle’s leading minds need support to try out their emerging ideas. Community aware-ness of breakthroughs inspires others to try new things…in a never ending cycle.

Celebrate Failing Forward
Just because every idea doesn’t result in commercial success doesn’t mean that the knowledge gained from it isn’t reason for celebration. Bragging about experiments and sharing a willingness to try new endeavors were viewed by participants as impor-tant to supporting the Triangle’s innovative spirit. Nurturing the community’s “dream factories” and an inclusive creative process were recommended as strong community focus areas.

Discover the Creative Corridor
The open source movement was identifi ed as a leading model of how to create collaborative, engag-ing, and inexpensive methods towards excellence. Community is built through the sharing of ideas whether it’s from homes built by Habitat for Hu-manity or book readings at Quail Ridge Bookstore. Places that encourage this type of open exchange become cultural hubs. More venues for public expression—including everything from public speaking venues and graffi ti walls to music spaces and regularly facilitated creative sessions—were mentioned as key to generating and gathering ideas.

Spark Some Risk
No one was talking about hand-outs, but there was a general sense that in order to become the “creative hub of the South” a certain level of fund-ing of risk without immediate reward is necessary. Resources like this enable citizens to act on insights and dreams without being errantly shut down by infl exible rules, regulations, or institutions and, in a broader sense, creative capital isn’t squandered by a failure to take risks. Participants saw a direct correlation between a community that supports healthy risk and one that moves from good ideas directly into good economy.

Grow It Green
The natural environment is one of the Triangle’s greatest assets and key to the community’s overall health and well-being. Technologies that pre-serve the region’s green spaces and ensure a clean environment are crucial to the Triangle’s future as a creative hub. Not only were outdoor spaces, cycling and walking greenways, and a fully functioning mass transit system viewed as important, but the group hoped to see Triangle innovators lead the way in the development of green technologies. Green technologies were viewed as motivators for hard work and a sense of regional pride that can someday be passed on to the younger generation.