Events: Hollywood Gets Obama Support For "Imagination Summit"

7/26 Note Correction At Bottom

In what seems like an obvious sop to former supporters and potential 2012 funders, the Obama administration is participating in a summit today focused on creativity and arts education.  The event is the result of efforts from a group of Hollywood bigwigs called the Creative Coalition that has been pushing the Obama administration to do more to support the arts and creativity (USNews).   The Obama response is called "Champions of Change."  Later today, USDE pretty boy Peter Cunningham will be rolled out in front of the group -- they're calling the event an "Imagination Summit." Details below.  

7/26 CORRECTION:  The Creative Coalition and the Imagination Summit came across my desk at roughly the same time and seemed like that must be related but, alas, are totally different. The Imagination Summit is the product of the Lincoln Center Institute, which is completely unaffiliated with (though might do well to get to know) the Creative Coalition. Apologies to all involved in what I'm sure was a spectacular event.

SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH PETER CUNNIGHAM TO GIVE OPENING REMARKS AT AMERICA’S IMAGINATION SUMMIT

Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach Peter Cunningham will give opening remarks at the America’s Imagination Summit in New York City on Thursday, July 21. Cunningham will discuss the Department’s commitment to a well-rounded curriculum and the importance of creativity in the classroom, as outlined in the Department’s Blueprint for Reform: The Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. 

The summit is the culminating event of the Imagination Conversations, a project of the Lincoln Institute aimed at promoting and protecting imagination and creativity in American education. Representatives from across the country, Imagination Conversations national sponsors, various elected officials, legislators, education experts, business leaders, artists, and scientists will attend the day-and-a-half long conference.

WHO: 
Peter Cunningham, assistant secretary, Office of Communications and Outreach, U. S. Department of Education  
 
WHAT: 
Opening Remarks at the America’s Imagination Summit 

WHERE: 
The Rose Building

Kaplan Penthouse, 10^th Floor

10 Lincoln Center Plaza

New York, NY 

WHEN:
5:30 p.m. EDT Thursday, July 21, 2011