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.
A group of support organizations, led by the Innovation District and fueled by a grant from Duke Energy, developed our first Tampa Bay Innovation Ecosystem Map in 2023. We aim to continue guiding entrepreneurs to the best possible resources with an updated version.
Josh Rojas of Bay News 9 recently visited the Maritime and Defense Tech Hub, where he was welcomed by CEO Alison Barlow and COO Lauren Bell for a discussion about the building’s future expansion. The Hub is already home to a thriving community of companies and demand continues to grow. To accommodate this momentum, leaders are envisioning Hub 2.0, a second building proposed for the west parking lot.
The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, in partnership with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, is introducing a capacity-building grant initiative that exemplifies strategic, next-level support. In 2025, they will award up to $10,000 each to 20 nonprofits serving South St. Petersburg.