Spotlight on Design Thinking: Collaborating for Innovation

Board member Dr. Ian Sutherland shares news about BANL's new program "Design Thinking: Collaboration for Innovation" at a recent Sunrise event.

Dr. Ian Sutherland, Business & Arts NL board member and Dean of Memorial University's School of Music, addressed the crowd at the latest Sunrise event at Fortis on June 21. Business & Arts also shared news about its new program "Design Thinking: Collaborating for Innovation" at the event.

Bringing the business and arts communities together to discover creative solutions is what Business & Arts NL is all about. Our newest program aims to forge even stronger relationships between these two sectors.

Design Thinking: Collaborating for Innovation will connect businesses and creatives to uncover innovative synergy among these diverse thinkers. This year-long project will use design thinking methodology as a key way to encourage artists and businesses to solve problems together. A series of design labs will focus on the future of the workforce in Newfoundland and Labrador, and what we can do to support the growth of the knowledge-based workforce so essential to economic growth in 2019 and beyond. Training opportunities and internships will facilitate new connections and strengthen the understanding of the value of creative skills in a modern workforce. The new program is supported by the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII).

“The creativity and culture of our province has long been hailed as the ‘secret sauce’ that drives our identity as a province and fuels our tourism industry. This project will help businesses find ways to bring that secret sauce into their teams and products to help foster growth and resilience,” said Business & Arts Co-Chair, Mark Dobbin.

The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is investing $183,395 in the Design Thinking initiative.

“Our government understands that innovation is driven by new ideas, creative approaches and collaborative efforts. We generate economic growth, create good jobs and build vibrant communities in Atlantic Canada by playing on our strengths. And we have strength in the arts,” said Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.

“That is why this Business & Arts NL project is so easy to support. Let’s promote and encourage design thinking and partnerships through the arts to give our province’s innovation ecosystem the creative boost that will set it apart.”

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through TCII’s Regional Development Program, is investing $57,800 in this project.

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation said, “Business & Arts NL continues to help to grow partnerships, increase awareness and foster enhanced capacity for the arts community. Our government is pleased to support the Design Thinking initiative that will bring businesspeople, artists and other stakeholders together to find creative solutions through a series of design labs and workshops.”

Business & Arts NL works to unite arts and business across the province to find creative solutions together. The organization recently released a video story featuring the St. John’s International Airport, which worked with artists when they set out to create an environment that had a unique, inviting “Newfoundland and Labrador” look and feel that makes passengers want to spend more time in the airport, and visit our province again.

For more information, please contact Amy Henderson, Executive Director, at ahenderson@businessandartsnl.com or (709) 745 1611.