IACT: Creativity for Tomorrow

By Amy Pompilio '19

What is a library without books? To the twelve students of the IACT at ArtStreet’s Collaboration Accelerator summer program, it’s a combination of tangible resources and transdisciplinary community.

The Collaboration Accelerator program is a unique, professional internship opportunity bringing together twelve of the most engaged and creative students from different academic backgrounds. Posed with real-world challenges by community partners such as the Air Force Research Laboratory, Emerson’s Helix, and the University of Dayton’s Roesch Library, the twelve accelerators collaborated to find innovative solutions to open-ended challenge questions.

Roesch Library’s challenge question, “what is a library without books?” aimed to spark conversation about the changing roles of campus libraries by reimagining Roesch Library’s spaces and functions after its three-year renovation plan that includes relocating the print journals from the second floor to the book stacks. When asked to innovate what the library could include in the absence of the second floor shelving, the Accelerator students created Concourse D.

Concourse D is a project development studio located on the second floor of Roesch library that emerged as a response to what libraries of the 21st century might look like. A functional prototype, Concourse D is a malleable space that can meet the ever changing project needs of students, faculty, and community professionals alike. Whether it’s an eight-foot tall whiteboard prism or a spool of thread, Concourse D has the tools to accommodate creativity and collaboration across all disciplines of study.

In Concourse D, transdisciplinary design doesn’t stop at undergraduates. Professors and students who work together in Concourse D meet at the intersection of purpose-driven development and academic success. Members of the community can bring their professional expertise to projects in Concourse D and have the opportunity to learn new skills as a novice. Concourse D facilitates experiential learning, no matter how much experience each user brings to the table.

As a continuously evolving prototype, Concourse D is transforming into a real-time data collection center for continued adaptation and improvement. Concourse D will have open Departure Times for the remainder of the fall semester, where all are welcome to try their hand at transdisciplinary projects. Ready to take flight?

Concourse D Departure Times:

Mondays 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (11/13 - 12/4):  “How do you revolutionize rehabilitation?” (IACT Certificate Collision)

Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:50 p.m. (11/14 and 11/21):  “Designing a Community for People Recovering from Addiction” (MEE431L capstone team)

Thursday 11/16, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.: Developing A "Maker" Cooperative Business in Dayton (Hosted by Kevin Hallinan)

Thursday 11/30, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.:  Developing a Literacy Engine Cooperative Business in Dayton (Hosted by Kevin Hallinan)

Concourse D is located on the 2nd floor of Roesch Library, behind the elevators. Anyone is welcome to stop by during our Departure Times to engage with our Takeoff Teams and provide valuable feedback about Concourse D.

At the Institute of Applied Creativity for Transformation (IACT) at ArtStreet, we seek to empower a forward-thinking 21st century student with the ability to confidently develop the imaginative and creative skills necessary to excel and impact today’s innovative and global workforce regardless of degree focus. Our mindset of applied creativity stems from transdisciplinary learning (the unity of intellectual frameworks beyond the disciplinary perspectives) and humanity-centered design, harnessing imagination and vision to effectively implement unexpected, innovative ideas that can change the world. For more information about IACT at ArtStreet, call 937-229-5101 or visit go.udayton.edu/iact.