concepts around, without a great deal of planned structure. Many people have expe-
rienced this in college. Mature people, however, with life and expertise under their
belts, have no place to go for this experience. It sometimes takes place in clubs devot-
ed to one interest. The broader the spectrum of interests, however, the greater the
opportunities for a synergy of ideas to occur.
rienced this in college. Mature people, however, with life and expertise under their
belts, have no place to go for this experience. It sometimes takes place in clubs devot-
ed to one interest. The broader the spectrum of interests, however, the greater the
opportunities for a synergy of ideas to occur.
We propose to use our collection of old buildings and equipment as a focus (or
campus) in which to develop a creative community. I would love to say that we
would produce a new billion-dollar idea each month, but creativity, like geology, is a
bit unpredictable. We cannot know what new ideas will be, or they wouldn‘t be new
ideas. I hope I have made clear by this point, the BIG idea behind Starr Homeplace.
It is the primary goal and has the greatest potential to produce real wealth for North-
eastern Louisiana. That wealth would come in the form of patents, copyrights, mar-
keting plans, and other forms of intellectual property. It is not however, something
that can be quantified. If we succeed, it will be visible in hindsight, but never in cer-
tain foresight.
campus) in which to develop a creative community. I would love to say that we
would produce a new billion-dollar idea each month, but creativity, like geology, is a
bit unpredictable. We cannot know what new ideas will be, or they wouldn‘t be new
ideas. I hope I have made clear by this point, the BIG idea behind Starr Homeplace.
It is the primary goal and has the greatest potential to produce real wealth for North-
eastern Louisiana. That wealth would come in the form of patents, copyrights, mar-
keting plans, and other forms of intellectual property. It is not however, something
that can be quantified. If we succeed, it will be visible in hindsight, but never in cer-
tain foresight.
Creative Economy is the Big Idea. Creative Community and Crafts Center is some-
thing most people can relate to. Museum is the simple sell, but not very accurate.
Craft Festival? Start reading again!
thing most people can relate to. Museum is the simple sell, but not very accurate.
Craft Festival? Start reading again!
There are other more basic and mundane benefits to what we propose based on tradi-
tional models, including tourism and education. There is almost no possibility of our
coming up with a “dry hole.” Since you have been kind enough to read this far, I
will try to reward you with a somewhat brief explanation of what these benefits
might be. These are things that can happen if we are well supported, not things that
can be done with limited funds and manpower.
tional models, including tourism and education. There is almost no possibility of our
coming up with a “dry hole.” Since you have been kind enough to read this far, I
will try to reward you with a somewhat brief explanation of what these benefits
might be. These are things that can happen if we are well supported, not things that
can be done with limited funds and manpower.
We are building a museum of a particular kind, a hands-on heritage and mechanical
museum where the exhibits are worked on and with, where tools for the pursuit of
artistic and creative ideas are readily available. This is the “bait” or focus for assem-
bling the creative community. We want it to be free, or nearly so.
museum where the exhibits are worked on and with, where tools for the pursuit of
artistic and creative ideas are readily available. This is the “bait” or focus for assem-
bling the creative community. We want it to be free, or nearly so.
We are helping to create a regional mindset. Our Cultural Landscape Map project is
the beginning of this. Our region needs to put aside divisions based on boundaries
drawn long ago. We must abandon the cultural divides that continue to drag us
down.
the beginning of this. Our region needs to put aside divisions based on boundaries
drawn long ago. We must abandon the cultural divides that continue to drag us
down.
We are importing expertise into the region. Teachers will be brought in. Demonstra-
tors will work. We will offer scholarships. We hope to place large numbers of books
in the library systems.
tors will work. We will offer scholarships. We hope to place large numbers of books
in the library systems.
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