Open to Possibility

Making your neighborhood more awesome by being a neighbor-designerEPIC 20/20 OCTOBER 2013

creatives nonprofits

epic

creatives nonprofits

beer

COMMUNITY

designer neighbor

awesome(what my talk this evening is about)

designerTheThirdTeacher+

designerProcess & Pedagogy

designer neighbor

neighbor

neighbor

neighbor

How might we....understand the needs & dreams of our neighbors to make healthier local economies?

What if...We threw a dinner party in that empty storefront?

POSSIBILITY POTLUCKa neighborly meal in an empty storefront?!

1. Money2. Space3. People

but first, we needed...

1. Money2. Space3. People

but first, we needed...

Accountability, support, & “daring” yourself into doing.

simple optimistic questions.reframing public conversation.

accidentally starting anorganization...errrrr... league.

1. Money2. Space3. People

but first, we needed...

The space & people emerged naturally – because we started a new conversation.

People were curious. People felt heard.

The League of Awesome Possibilities was born.

dinner party + design charrette.

new energy on the outside.

new ideas on the inside.

THE BEST PART.

community in action.

Turns out settingthe table and bringing people + possibilities + place together is pretty powerful stuff.

tangibility spectrum

How do you know its impact?

How do you know its impact?2012

1,000 captured ideas & insights

40+ neighbors to friends

60+ valentines

15 local partners

1 activated storefront

Now: 2 filled storefronts... and counting.

2012possibility potluck

2013possibility potluckBrew Camp

"the best thing that could have happened to our company."

2 Ravenswood Storefronts + counting

We started a conversation & set the table.

Now what?

2011 2012 2013fall winter spring summer fall winter spring summer fall

FITS & STARTS

{ ?!

QUESTIONS & VALENTINES MISCELLANY

PHOTOS &STORIES

NEIGHBORLAND& STRATEGY

?!{STUDIO TIME

League as curator

National & Local Partners

Larger corridor conversation

?!POSSIBILITY POTLUCKa neighborly meal in an empty storefront

Exploring a Vibrant Lawrence Corridor

August 2013

How do you know its impact?2013

300+ interactions during the placemaking weekend

100+ neighbors to friends

30+ local potluck & design partners

3 national “friends”

3 activated storefronts

Countless new collaborations, ideas, and connections.

Now what?Tell the stories & findings in an actionable way.

Create an “awesome agents” network of collaborators & “neighborly missions”

Connect local partners & national friends.

Plan realistically about sustainability.

Positive Lessons

Make time to be a neighbor. Little things matter.

The conversation always starts before you set the table. Listen. Observe.

Do delightful things. But collect data & stories along the way.

Balance the organic and the planned – and you’ll be both surprised & strategic.

Ask for help early & often. Be specific & targeted in your asks.

Be realistic about your capacity. Vet partners you can trust & master your timing.

Growing Lessons

Awesome things are possible when you are a neighbor & designer.

Every once in a while...Bring your studio to the sidewalk.

A community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared, and that the people who share the place define and limit the possibilities of each other's lives.WENDELL BERRY