Why does Cleveland need to be a creative city? How can creativity pump our economy? How can new ideas flourish across the civic, business, academic and philanthropic sectors?

On Monday, June 7, Cleveland State University’s Center for Arts and Innovation and 90.3 WCPN ideastream® will present the 2010 Creative Voices Summit, a half-day event that examines these questions from several perspectives, featuring a panel of highly esteemed experts.

“Creativity is really guerrilla economic development,” said Kay Shames, Director of CSU’s Center for Arts and Innovation. “The Summit is a unique opportunity to learn how cities and their economies are thriving through creativity – creating jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods, attracting talent and much more. Creativity is not a ‘soft’ issue; it’s a critical one that affects us all. We’ll discuss new ideas and how we can harness those ideas to stimulate our economy and improve our region.”

The Creative Voices Summit, titled “What does it Mean to be a Creative City?” will take place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Westfield Insurance Studio at The Idea Center.

The event is co-chaired by CSU President and Mrs. Ronald M. Berkman and Dr. Eugene Sanders, CEO, Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Attendees are invited to join in an invigorating dialogue with four national and local leaders:

• Dr. Ronald M. Berkman, President, CSU
• Donald L. Plusquellic, Mayor, City of Akron
• Terry Schwarz, Interim Director, Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative, Kent State University
• Carol Coletta, Executive Director, CEOs for Cities and Host of the Nationally Syndicated NPR Program Smart City

Ned Hill, Dean and Distinguished Scholar, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at CSU, will moderate the discussion.

Continuing the theme of creativity, the popular Arts Education Day Luncheon will follow the Summit from 12-2 p.m. next door in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare. LeVar Burton, Grammy Award-winning actor, host of the PBS show Reading Rainbow (winner of 13 Emmys) and arts advocate, will be the keynote speaker and will speak on “The Power of Imagination.”

Admission to the Creative Voices Summit is complimentary. The Luncheon cost is $25. Reservations are required. To attend one or both events, visit www.csuohio.edu/cai or call 216.687.5018.

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The Creative Voices Summit and Arts Education Day Luncheon are presented with the support of the Arts Education Consortium (CAEC). CAEC includes The Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Play House, Young Audiences, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, PlayhouseSquare Center, and Tri-C Jazzfest Cleveland.

Established in 1999, the Consortium convenes arts organizations from across Cuyahoga County to address critical issues in arts education, presents community-wide events, and undertakes projects and research studies that leverage resources to promote the value of arts education throughout Northeast Ohio. It is in residence at Cleveland State University.

About Cleveland State University

Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research institution that provides a dynamic setting for engaged learning. With an enrollment of more than 16,000 students, 8 colleges and more than 250 academic programs, CSU provides a hands-on learning environment that connects students, ideas and real-world experience.

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