Spears Group’s Post

Chicago, widely known for its beloved public art installations, will be receiving a new slate of public works timed to the upcoming #DNC. GERTIE's “Next Stop: Chicago” is among the infrastructure-related projects by emerging artists and designers coming to Chicago next week. Gertie has awarded more than $400,000 in grants to seven community-led projects along the Chicago Transit Authority’s Green Line (which connects Chicago’s West and South Side to the convention locations and downtown) examining the nature of infrastructure and its importance for historically marginalized communities, especially post-pandemic. The initiative highlights the under-recognized work of communities along the CTA's Green Line — whose development have been bolstered by essential infrastructure in the form of public transportation, housing, and the creation of density to promote business and economic vitality. Read more in The New York Times.

I have seen a number of posts recently voicing displeasure with HF4009. This bill will compel certain communities to implement zoning standards that would allow for multiple housing types and increased density. It is no great mystery that current zoning, especially in ex-urban areas inherently increases dependence upon the automobile. This dependence is a feed forward loop beggeting more and more roads, moving people further and further away from the places they play, shop, and work. We know that in order to deal with resources scarcity, climate change, and social equity we need to live closer together. But just as interesting (to me at least) is that by living in a way that makes us dependent upon the automobile, we limit opportunities for social interaction. Charles Montgomery, in his book "Happy City" puts forward, and defends well, the argument that people are happier when they have social connections and that we need to plan our cities to foster these connections. I am not stating a position on HF4009. What I am saying is that the status quo paradigm of planning is antithetical to a happy, safe, welcoming, and resilient community. HF4009 is forcing this conversation to be had and THAT is a good thing. https://lnkd.in/g5j5fffM

Ever wonder what a Historic Preservation Easement does? Then watch this Nashville New Channel 5 report.

Cars, Careers, Commerce, and Community A lot of business owners and leaders love their cars, and here is an opportunity to get together and enjoy some great Virginia October weather while showing them off for a good cause. It's no secret to any followers of my feed how much interest I have in the Academies of Loudoun. This is one of the country's premier high schools that offers such a wide range of technical and scientific possibilities that nearly any kid who is determined to find a path can have access. Though it is not exclusive or elite, the opportunities they offer certainly are. So many fields provide a launch pad to propel their career forward, and businesses routinely scout the school for future talent. My own daughter earned welding certifications here and had a fantastic job waiting for her before she even graduated. My son earned his CNA in their nursing program before graduation, and his early experience in their Engineering program has him on a path toward biomedical engineering now. ❓ How does what we do on a weekend have anything to do with what we go back to on Mondays? So many things - - It ties us and our business back to #communityWellness. - It builds a muscle memory of engagement with others as we keep our head up looking for opportunities and purpose. - We find ways to highlight shared experiences among those in our organizations. - They give us networking opportunities to meet new people and get more comfortable talking about what we do and why we do it. I'll start: Hi, I'm Scott. I'm all about combining #mentalHealthAwareness with Organizational Development. A commitment to building highly productive cross-functioning teams, and creating belonging through #engagement. What's your name? What would you like to do more of, and how can I help? -

Keith Martin Chambersburg PA

More of this! Thought-provoking, engaging, community centered, and a key dialogue that needs to happen across the U.S. " Addressing contemporary housing challenges faced by Santa Monica and the region, the exhibition further explores affordable housing, support systems for those experiencing homelessness, equity and inclusion, and the importance of historic preservation in maintaining the city’s cultural identity." https://lnkd.in/eQ4b-mPq

The preliminary agenda for CalMatters upcoming #IdeasFestival is now available - broadband, housing, homelessness, climate, workforce, economy, AI and the elections. We're sponsoring the Opening Night Reception on June 5 -- Mark your calendars, buy a ticket & come visit with us to help kick off the policy discussions. #Ideas and #CriticalThinking are the hallmark of Fiona Hutton & Associates. Applying a strategic approach to achieving specific business and organizational outcomes (not just activity) -- regulatory, legislative, policy, procurement, reputation, financing, litigation and much more. https://lnkd.in/g5X8qhbm

Great to see this on the agenda as we come to the end of January. I'm lucky enough to work in the business world, but to live my life immersed in art and music, hanging out with fabulously creative people working in the arts every day. I myself work as a musician and study music, as well as running my coaching business, engaging at the most senior levels in business. There is no conflict here - art and artists challenge my thinking, my perspective, my self-perception and how I live out my values every single day. Working in and on music challenges me at least as deeply as my corporate work. I would not be the coach I am without the arts at the centre of my life. We all need the arts to flourish - quite aside from the economic arguments (which are incontrovertible), our brains are proven to be more elastic, more able to learn, more able to problem solve, healthier long-term - the list goes on - if we engage in artistic pursuits. And because life is richer for the arts - imagine life without a music industry, without film, theatre, art galleries... And, we need the arts becuase not every child will be cut out to flourish in science or business - we talk of diversity and inclusion - this needs to include valuing artists equally with scientists, engineers and CEO's. In Glasgow where I live, we have just come to the end of almost 3 weeks of the annual Celtic Connections Festival - over the last 30 years this has grown from small beginnings to become one of the most revered and best loved music festivals in the world for musicians playing traditional, indie and world music. Young musicians are deliberately given a platform to perform big venues alongside established bands. As a result, Glasgow's thriving music scene is a vibrant, magical success story. The city comes alive in the depths of January - the mental health benefits of that alone are incalculable - and the economic impact of the huge numbers of visitors, from as far away as the US and Australia, is huge with hotels and restaurants full, and shows sold out. As business people, let's embrace the arts, support them, tap into them when we think about wellbeing in our organisations - and let's value the arts to create the diverse, inclusive, and economically sound society we say we want.

“The arts contribute positively to health and wellbeing, whether through connection with place, people, ideas or practices which help build roots and positive mental health. The value of these intangibles is incalculable.” So true. So relevant for #EU countries as well, such as #Greece #artsandhumanities #creativeindustries #searchculturegr #artsandculture

A well-written, well-read speech using simple language, imaginative words, ambitious ideas, and a brief and powerful statistic, shows there is no penalty for not memorising or “speaking from the cuff”. In fact, it’s preferable. Content matters most.