Northwest Indiana is about to embark on another year’s celebration of World Creativity and Innovation Week. "This is a time when our community joins over 100 communities in 50 countries to recognize the importance of creativity and innovation in our daily lives," according to Keri Marrs Barrón, Chairperson for the week.
Sponsored annually by the Center for Creative Solutions, Inc.™, the celebration officially begins April 15, the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, possibly the greatest of all innovators. This year’s theme is "Hoosier Innovation." Most events are free and open to the public.
The kick-off on April 20 will be at the Lake Hills STEM Magnet School, 201 Ferguson Road, Michigan City. Over 500 young Hoosier innovators will display their innovations starting at 5:30 p.m.
Two stellar Hoosier innovators from the early 1900's will share what they learned about innovation: Madame C. J. Walker of Indianapolis who was the first female entrepreneur in the United States to make a million dollars and Meinrad Rumely of La Porte whose innovations in agricultural equipment changed farming. Playing Madame C.J. Walker will be O’Merrial Butchee, Director of the Gerald I. Lamkin Entrepreneur and Innovation Center of Ivy Tech and Leigh Morris will portray Rumely.
Then, Tuesday, April 21, is "Tourist Day" for the week. From 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., the La Porte County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 4073 South Franklin Street, Michigan City will be showing various displays including a miniature steam locomotive, a video of local life between 1870 – 2010, local "Growing Up Green" projects, and an art gallery and gift shop.
Wednesday, April 22, will be "Public Library Day." The La Porte County Public Library, 904 Indiana Avenue in La Porte, will host "open tinker time!" From 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., patrons can get their creative juices flowing with synth kits and other makerspace items.
The Michigan City Public Library, 100 East 4th Street in Michigan City, will sponsor "Creative Crafts." From 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., participants will use their creativity to design a unique project from a variety of materials. At 3:30 p.m., the Michigan City Area Schools Robotics Team will perform a special demonstration.
Thursday, April 23, is "exploring your creativity and innovation on your own." On Friday, April 24, the Center for Creative Solutions, Inc.™ will host a "Community Recognition Day" breakfast. Awards will be presented to A. K. Smith Career Center students selected for their innovative work. Also honored will be Dr. Radesh and Bina Gupta for encouraging a community culture of innovation.
The finale is "Museum Day" on Saturday, April 25. The pubic can learn about local innovators of the past at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum, 2405 Indiana Avenue in La Porte, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the old (1858) Lighthouse Museum in Washington Park, Michigan City from 1:00 to 4 p.m.
The purpose of World Creativity and Innovation Week is to recognize and show the ability of all people to think creatively. Throughout World Creativity and Innovation Week, everyone is encouraged to acknowledge and use their own creativity in their homes, schools, jobs, organizations and communities.
It is also designed to emphasize that our society, our nation, and our economic viability depend on America’s ability to tap individual and collective innovation. "Whether new ideas seem small or huge, they can have profound effects on our everyday lives. In this 21st Century, we live in the ‘Creative Economy.’ Highly innovative persons and organizations will be the most profitable and have the greatest impact in our world," according to Cynthia A. Hedge, CEO of the Center for Creative Solutions, Inc.™
Partners include Ivy Tech Community College Northwest, the Ivy Tech Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana, Michigan City Public Library, Greater La Porte Area Ministerial Association, La Porte County Public Library, the La Porte County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Center for Creative Solutions, Inc.™
The Center for Creative Solutions, Inc.™ is a local non-profit organization. It offers tailor-made training, facilitation and coaching, all with an emphasis on finding new solutions for schools, non-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies, and professionals.
For further information, contact the Center for Creative Solutions, Inc.™ at 219-861-0955.