When:September 30-October 3

Where: Kentucky Center, Louisville, KY

What is the IdeaFestival?

Each year, authors, global thinkers, inventors and professors present original concepts about art, business, design, education and philosophy at the IdeaFestival (IF). The first IF took place in 2000 in Lexington, KY. IF moved to Louisville in 2005.

The event takes place over four days. Presentations are staged at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts which is located in downtown Louisville on Main St.

It’s an ideal venue with plenty of space for crowds, a pop-up bookstore, occasional art installations and permanently installed art by such masters as Alexander Calder, John Chamberlain, Jean Dubuffet, Joan Miró and Louise Nevelson. The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts is a couple blocks east of 21c and the sculpture inspired by Michelangelo.

One of the exciting things about IF is the diversity of age and skill in attendance. Guest speakers range in experience and the audience is full of CEOs, high school students, entrepreneurs and politicians.

Since IF only happens once a year—always in the fall, some of the best months for Louisville weather—fans of the festival feel the absence of IF energy during winter, spring and summer. For this reason, IF University launched. Individuals, who crave conversation, innovation and communication throughout the year, meet for classes, talks and events. The gatherings are always in public spaces and the public is invited to attend. IF University is an extension of IF and provides a platform for connecting, staying in touch and discussing any new ideas shaping society around us.

Most importantly, as the IF slogan states, IF University helps us all to “stay curious.”

Who will be speaking at IF 2014?

• Lee Billings, author of the cosmic mystery, Five-Billion Years of Solitude: The Search for Life Among The Stars; journalist, writer for Nature, Nautilus, New Scientist and Scientific American.
• Jason Felts, Chief Executive officer of Virgin Produced, the cutting-edge film, television and entertainment division of the British Virgin Group. The company, formed in 2010, designs, recombines, packages and produces new media, films & TV shows under the Virgin brand.
• Claudia Hammond, author of the provocative book Time Warp on the fascinating puzzle of time perception; award-winning broadcaster, writer, psychology lecturer; BBC World Service Radio and BBC World News TV presenter.
• Debbie Millman, designer, brand consultant for Sterling Brands; radio show host of Design Matters; author and leading thinker on the intersection of creativity, life and design.
• Steve Pemberton, divisional vice president and chief diversity officer of Walgreen Company; youth and inclusion advocate.

IdeaFestivalwebsite

IF Universitywebsite