Peoria NEXT and ArtsPartners Host Discovery Forum 2006 – Creating through Collaboration
Posted on February 7th, 2006

Annual day-long event scheduled for April 28, 2006 will highlight the power of collaboration

Discovery Forum 2006: Creating through Collaboration
***Friday, April 28, 2006***
7:55 AM - 6:00 PM (Featuring a Creativity Showcase Reception 4:30 - 6:00 PM)
Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, IL

Mark your calendars for this prestigious day-long event showcasing creative ideas and possibilities discovered through collaborative efforts among the arts, science, education and business communities.

Peoria, IL – Peoria NEXT and ArtsPartners of Central Illinois are pleased to announce Discovery Forum 2006 themed Creating through Collaboration, scheduled for Friday, April 28, 2006 at the Peoria Civic Center from 7:55 AM to 6:00 PM.

The annual day-long Discovery Forum has become a signature event throughout the region, continuing to grow each year, drawing members of the Creative Class from all over the Midwest and beyond.

This year’s event broadens the appeal with a line-up of presentations from speakers that will resonate not just with scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs, but with anyone with an interest in the power of collaboration and its ability to facilitate and enhance lives.

The day will feature three main acts, each geared to highlight the power of collaboration. The first act will focus on Collaborations in Public Policy, featuring keynote speaker John Norquist, former Mayor of Milwaukee and President of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Focusing on how leading communities collaborate to create innovative policy and drive growth, this segment will explore how working together can help build healthier communities and smarter policies. The presentation will be followed by a dialogue moderated by WCBU’s Jonathon Ahl and will feature Norquist, Caterpillar Inc. CEO Jim Owens, and Peoria’s Mayor Jim Ardis.

Collaborations in Art & Education is the theme for the second act, featuring keynote speaker Rafe Esquith, an educator and author who has presented opportunities for the disadvantaged inner-city students he has turned into Shakespearean performers. This segment will focus on ways to harness creative collaborations to enlighten children and enrich lives. In addition, an all-star line-up of educators will exhibit “outside the box” teaching techniques. WEEK’s Garry Moore will moderate a dialogue among Esquith, “First Class Teacher of the Year” Brad Cohen, along with Peoria Public Schools Superintendent Ken Hinton.

Act three focuses on Collaborations in Technology, exploring how collaborations in science and technology converge to impact society, culture, and quality of life. Featured speakers will be Alan Lightman, an artist, scientist, and author of Einstein’s Dreams whose work boldly explores the intellectual and emotional landscapes of the great discoveries of the last century. Martina Newell-McGloughlin also joins this segment as an international expert exploring the innovative and controversial realm of biotechnology’s impact on society. In addition, Natalie Jeremijenko, a leader in innovative engineering design, will explore human interactions with technology, searching for new ways to seize innovation for social and cultural good.

The Discovery Forum will also feature the presentation of the second $10,000 2006 Peoria Prize for Creativity, an international competition rewarding innovative and creative collaborations between the arts and sciences.

Another highlight of the event includes the “Creativity Showcase,” an interactive exhibit area, featuring engaging displays of creativity, technology, and collaboration from around the region. Attendees are invited to a celebration reception in the Showcase area from 4:30-6:00 pm.

Registration is $35 before April 21 ($15 for students). For additional event information or to register, visit www.peorianext.org or call 309.677.2377.

Supporters for Discovery Forum 2006 include ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Bradley University Slane College of Communications & Fine Arts, College of Education & Health Sciences, College of Engineering & Technology, Foster College of Business Administration, Caterpillar Inc. Technology & Solutions Division, Community Foundation of Central Illinois, Jim Maloof/Realtor, Mark Twain Hotel, Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, National City Bank, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria NEXT, Ruby Worner Charitable Trust, and the USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research.

CLICK HERE for more information on speakers or to register now.