Salvador Dalí continues to remind individuals of the practical application of Surrealism in everyday life. Since 2015, hundreds of companies have taken part in The Dalí Museum’s Innovation Labs, where participants learn how to problem solve through a program combining Dalí’s art, philosophy and methods with state-of-the-art research. Like a second look at a Dalí work can prompt the viewer to assess and reassess what they are seeing, the goal of the labs is to help individuals, businesses, organizations, committees and boards reevaluate the respective lens through which they see problems, solutions and connections. Creativity often stems from challenging perspectives and connecting things that don’t necessarily belong together. Dalí was a master of juxtaposition. Exercises may ask participants to share reactions to a single Dalí work, choose a Dalí piece to represent their sentiments on a topic or challenge, discuss keywords, write a zero draft or complete an interactive gallery experience. The process moves businesses out of the fixed frame of thought of producing innovation, to let innovation become a product of creativity.
Last month’s Tech X-Change at the ARK Innovation Center was buzzing, thanks to Archer Key, one of the growing companies based at ARK. The event drew a strong crowd of curious minds eager to hear how Archer Key helps startups and small teams scale like pros.
Electric air vehicles may sound futuristic, but for St. Pete, they’re already on the radar. The Advanced Air Mobility Taskforce, chaired by Ed Montanari, is bringing together engineers, business leaders, pilots, and innovators to explore how these vehicles could take flight in and around the city.
Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay's 3DE initiative connects high school students with local and national businesses, giving them hands-on experience in problem-solving.