Creativity Expert Sir Ken Robinson to Speak at UA Sept. 12

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Sir Ken Robinson, an internationally recognized leader in the development of creativity, innovation and human resources and the author of “Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative,” will speak at The University of Alabama Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Robinson’s lecture, titled “How Creativity, Education, and the Arts Shape a Modern Economy,” is sponsored by UA’s Creative Campus Initiative and will be presented in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building at 6 p.m. Free tickets are available at www.crimsonartstickets.com. For more information, or to reserve tickets over the phone or in person, call 205/348-4CAT or stop by Crimson Arts Tickets, room 217 Ferguson Center on the UA campus.

In his book, “Out of Our Minds,” Robinson asserts that too many people and institutions are locked into a model of education shaped by the Industrial Revolution and a narrow idea of academic ability. He urges schools and colleges to rethink basic assumptions about intelligence and achievement, and he calls for radical changes in how students are educated to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

“Whether you are an educator, an engineer, an artist or a business person, if you think creativity is an important part of your future, you will find this evening productive, stimulating and even compelling,” said Dr. Scott Bridges, director of the UA Creative Campus Initiative.

A native of Great Britain, Robinson has worked with national governments in Europe and Asia, international agencies, Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profit corporations and cultural organizations, ranging from the Royal Shakespeare Company and Sir Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts to UNESCO and the Council of Europe.

In 1998, Robinson led a national commission on creativity, education and the economy for the government of the United Kingdom that brought together business people, scientists, artists and educators and resulted in a widely acclaimed report titled “All Our Futures: Creativity, Culture and Education.”

Robinson played a key role in developing a strategy for creative and economic development as part of the Peace Process in Northern Ireland. The resulting blueprint for change, “Unlocking Creativity,” was adopted by politicians of all parties and by business, education and cultural leaders. In 2003, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the arts.

Now based in Los Angeles, Robinson speaks to audiences around the world on the creative challenges facing business and education in the global economy. His lecture at UA will be his first in the deep South.

Robinson’s visit is made possible with the support of UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Arts & Sciences, Office for Research, the Creative Campus Initiative, and the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.

More information is available at www.creativecampus.ua.edu/sirken.