Farewell Buoy

By Mark Masuoka, Executive Director and CEO

In many ways, the de-installation of Tony Feher’s Buoy is a sign of things to come, not what has been accomplished.  Over the past four months, the Akron Art Museum has offered the public the opportunity to re-envision the architecture of the art museum and to re-contextualize our urban surroundings.  Tony Feher’s Buoy had become part of the public conscientiousness and spurred conversation about contemporary art, even for those who did not identify it as art, but an unexpected anomaly hanging from the art museum.  Buoy has become etched in our memory and will soon become part of the urban folklore of Akron.  Farewell Buoy.

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DIVE IN

 By Mark Masuoka, Executive Director and CEO

As children, we were all told to be cautious of the deep end of the pool.  That is where the risky people gathered, the thrill seekers, individuals who wanted more than just the shallow end experience.  In many ways, our lives haven’t really changed from those Stand By Me years.  The idea of risk taking still means to go where few decide to venture, to purposely challenge yourself to take on a new task, a different role at work or even a new career, because deep down you know it will be a lot more fun, exciting and scary.

When was the last time you jumped in the deep end of the pool?  Stood on the edge of the unknown and just said go for it.   My guess is …that if it has been recently, you are still benefiting from the experience and can’t wait for another one.  If it’s been awhile, it’s time to get wet.

How do you LIVE CREATIVE?

Community Conversations: Art and Entrepreneurship

By Mark Masuoka, Executive Director and CEO

Art and Entrepreneurship are typically two subjects that occupy polar opposite positions in society. What is the role of innovation in the non-profit sector?

Art (creative process) and business (entrepreneurial spirit) are forever linked by the fact that there is no innovation without creativity.  Both industries thrive when the focus is on fulfilling a mission, not the bottomline.  Employees want to be inspired, customers want to know that their investment is making a difference and as a result, the outcome for both profit and not-for-profit systems can be  a both symbiotic and successful. 

The process of creating a new sculpture, painting, photograph, financial strategy, manufacturing system or business model is congruent with creativity. At this point, the perceived differences between art and entrepreneurship are blurred and each new discovery follows a convergent path. 

So the next time you are thinking about starting a new business or inventing a new mousetrap, watch out, you might just be stepping into the creativity zone.