The Art of the (Im)possible: creatively and artfully enabling artists, activists and social entrepreneurs to achieve (what others might call) the impossible.
Throughout history, artists, activists and social entrepreneurs, have helped us envision better futures and make positive change in the world. Without access to significant amounts of money or the power that comes with the backing of large institutions, these resourceful individuals have become impresarios. They have embraced collaboration and learned to think more innovatively, leveraging limited assets to tackle important issues. Their ingenuity has led them to craft better and more effective ways to raise awareness, gather supporters around a cause, solve problems, spread their message and transform communities.
Join us at the Art of the (Im)possible Unconference to learn how leading artists, activists and social entrepreneurs are:
- bringing people together to address issues that matter
- strategically using social media to build community and enable participation
- using free online tools to collaborate more effectively
- applying creative approaches to develop socially innovative solutions
- building financially and personally sustainable projects for longer and greater impact
- tapping into the incredible value of peer-to-peer networks for learning, funding and collective action
The Art of the (Im)possible Unconference program
Designed to maximise the exchange of knowledge and ideas, and to foster the development of collaborative relationships, the Art of the (Im)possible program will be run over two days – an evening on Thursday 31 October, and a full day on Friday 1 November.
> Lightning Talks: Thursday 31 October, 6.00pm – 8.30pm
A special night to connect with inspiring people and provocative ideas. Ten leading artists, activists and social entrepreneurs giving five-minute talks each, sharing their stories and insights on making the impossible possible. Confirmed speakers include:
- Jan Owen is CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) and former Executive Director of Social Ventures Australia. Author of Every Childhood Lasts a Lifetime, in 2000 was awarded membership of the Order of Australia for services to children and young people. Last year, Jan was named the inaugural Australian Financial Review & Westpac Group ‘Woman of Influence 2012’. Connect with Jan on Twitter at @JanOwenAM
- Simon Taylor is putting audiences in stitches around Australia and across the United States. A writer for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he loves doing standup because “done well, it has the ability to shift the audience’s viewpoint, challenge suppositions and deconstruct prejudices.” He has written a column called Moral Melbourne in Beat Magazine, was the host of radio podcast Manthropology and created Flim-Flam comic. He is a scholar of psychology, a lover of language and talented illusionist. Connect with Simon on Twitter at @MrSimonTaylor
- Mark Hogan has spent the last two years working with the small towns of Clunes, Creswick and Talbot in Central Victoria, where the notion of typical small town survival has been turned on its head through arts, creativity and collaboration. The results have been no more dramatic than in Clunes, where a struggling town has revived its fortunes thanks local volunteer group Creative Clunes and their work to transform Clunes through the Booktown initiative and Booktown Festival.
- Jodi Newcombe is the Director of Carbon Arts, whose creative solutions to climate change are helping cities across Australia imagine and shape a more sustainable future. “At the heart of our practice is the belief that creativity is essential in making the transition to a more sustainable society, and that the journey should be playful, fun and rewarding.” Connect with Jodi on Twitter at @carbon_arts
- Kumari Middleton is CEO and founder of social enterprise Mayibuye, which empowers young people in Australia, South Africa and Cambodia through the performing arts. She has worked in youth welfare and poverty alleviation for over a decade with organisations including Breaking Free, The Oaktree Foundation, Make Poverty History and Homeless World Cup. A dancer by training, Kumari is currently studying Criminal Justice and Social and Community Welfare at Monash. Connect with Kumari on Twitter at @kumarimiddleton
- Bonnie Shaw is a serial social innovator. She is an expert at making meaningful connection between people, place, technology and play to catalyze massively collaborative civic innovations for tangible real world impact. Bonnie is a serial social innovator. She is the Founder of the global photographic treasure hunt and community engagement game Snap-Shot-City, Founder and Dean of the DC chapter of The Awesome Foundation, co-creator of the 24 Hour City Project, organizer of the Digital Divas Dinners, and an honored Fellow of The RSA. Connect with Bonnie on Twitter at @bon_zai
- Rebecca Scott is CEO of social enterprise STREAT, whose food service is dedicated to providing a pathway to long term employment for young people who have been living on the street or at risk of being on the street. Over the years Rebecca has split her time between undertaking international development or arts projects. These include development projects in Vanuatu and Vietnam, founding the Scinema international film festival and helping establish the ACT Film Makers’ Network. In 2005 she was awarded a Vincent Fairfax Fellowship for ethical leadership. Connect with Rebecca on Twitter at @Bec_Scott
- Sam Haren & Dan Koerner, Creative Directors of cross-platform experience design company Sandpit:designing participatory experiences that transport audiences into a story, fictional universe or artwork.
- Jodi York is co-organiser of Burning Seed, an Australian art and community festival based the same 10 principles as Burning Man. She has been involved with Burning Man and related creative cultural transformation around the world since the late 1990s. By day, she helps organisations learn to make more effective social change as social investment researcher at the University of Melbourne.
- David Dixon is Cofounder & Director of not-for-profit organisation One Girl. Through their #doitinadress campaign last year they raised over $270,000 and have helped get almost 600 girls in Sierra Leone back to school, because “an educated girl can change the world.” Recognised as one of Australia’s “Brightest Young Minds,” Dave has a degree in Environmental Management, previously worked as a Youth Representative for World Vision, and was selected to participate in Melbourne’s first School for Social Entrepreneurs program. Connect with Dave on Twitter at @DaveDixon
> Open Space Sessions: Friday 1 November, 9.00am – 5.00pm
A full day of 36 participant led sessions – conversations, presentations, workshops and planning discussions – with passionate change makers and thought leaders from all over the city, around the state and across the country. The program for the day, based on Open Space Technologies, will start with a blank timetable that we’ll populate with the talks and discussions the participants (yes, that means you!) want to lead and initiate.
- Our venue (Abbotsford Convent) provides us with a multitude of adaptable spaces that can just as easily accommodate a plenary session for up to 150 people as well as a conversation between just a few.
- Once the timetable is populated it’s up to you to decide which sessions you would like to participate in.
The Art of the (Im)possible Unconference has been designed to catalyse connections between artists, activists and social entrepreneurs and enable rapid exchange of useful information, creative ideas and inspiring and innovative new approaches. Because new ideas, creativity and chance favour the connected mind.
Join us on Thursday 31 October (evening) and Friday 1 November (full day) for an amazing event and meet others who are passionate, creative, innovative, entrepreneurial, resourceful, generous and inspiring.
Registration cost includes participation in both days and includes drinks and canapés at Lightning Talks (Thursday evening), and lunch at Open Space day (Friday).
The event has been designed by Deakin University’s Arts Participation Incubator in partnership with Doing Something Good to explore how we can creatively, collaboratively, sustainably and successfully make change together. This event is being held as part of the Changemakers Festival happening nationally from 1-10 November 2013.