Denver in 2020 - a Renaissance City

In thinking about my own vision for Denver’s cultural, artistic and creative future, I realized that what I ‘imagined’ was Denver as a renaissance city. Not renaissance in the sense of being reborn but renaissance in the sense of the elements that symbolized the Renaissance age: a diversity of creative endeavors in the arts, language, architecture, sciences and math.

Developments in these individual endeavors became synergistically interrelated. The invention of the Guttenberg Press, for instance furthered learning and progressive development in a wide variety of other fields. Some of the great artists of the times also pursued knowledge and development of mathematics and science.

When I think of Denver culturally, artistically and creatively in 2020, I think of Denver as a home to not only painters, musicians, writers, filmmakers, ballets, orchestras, theatres etc. but also of persons, organizations and companies creatively developing new technologies; new ways of thinking; ways to improve the human condition. I imagine Denver as a place where arts, culture and creativity positively stimulate every segment and enterprise in our city in all its diversity.

So as I seek to hear from our city in its diversity, I am also seeking to hear from app developers, video-game developers, the entrepreneurial community, creative thinkers in every endeavor.

I imagine Denver in 2020 as a true Renaissance City populated with Renaissance Men and Women.

We need your imagination

Yesterday saw a very productive work session with those of us involved in developing Denver’s new cultural plan: Imagine Denver 2020. As is often the case, we sought answers to questions, which then prompted even more questions. The process entailed a lively and enlightening discussion. It was good.

What we are striving to do is develop the key elements of a plan that will guide Denver’s artistic, cultural and creative life and environment to the year 2020. Imagine Denver 2020 means imagine what this city could and should look like at the end of this decade and create the road map to get us there.

Part of this work has been posing questions to as wide a variety of people as possible. Not just artists or those involved in the arts and culture but the public at large. This is a diverse city and diverse voices must be heard as this plan is developed. I see the future through my own eyes, but I want and need to know what others see through their eyes; how do others of differing backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and cultural influences see Denver and its artistic, cultural and creative future; how do they see its present?

I also want to know how others - others who may not think of themselves as caring about or knowledgeable about ‘culture’ or even intimidated by the word – do see Denver’s artistic, cultural and creative present and future.

So, we are reaching out. We want to hear from you, all of you; Denver in all its diversity. We have had a great response to our online survey, and that can still be taken, however we have other means to hear your voices and communicate with you regarding this endeavor. Do you have a group we could come and speak with? Is there information we can share with you or your group? Are you just an individual who wants to know more and would like share your thoughts about this? Follow up with me here, or go to the website: www.imaginedenver2020.org