The 4th edition of Creative Week returns on May 7-11, 2012, with four major awards shows; an all-new, enriched roster of thought leadership programming; the Creative unConference, and new unique special events. Conceived by The One Club and proclaimed an annual city-wide event in May by the Office of the Mayor, the weeklong celebration is designed to connect, enlighten, honor and inspire the creative community.
"Just as creativity and the passions that drive it evolve, Creative Week is evolving in breath and scope and is transforming itself into one of the world's most anticipated festivals," said Kevin Swanepoel, President at The One Club. "This year's events again promise to deliver first-class creative work from all corners of the globe and we look forward the week of May 7 to welcoming the world to New York City."
The 2012 program blends thought leadership seminars by day and major awards shows on May 7, 8, 10 and 11. On the evening of the 9th, the midway point of Creative Week, all-new special events will be staged in partnership with Amy Poehler's "Upright Citizens Brigade" sketch comedy and improv troupe in Manhattan and Digital DUMBO in Brooklyn. The evening of events along the Brooklyn waterfront is part of a broader move to weave America's 4th largest City-Brooklyn-into the fabric of Creative Week.
Also returning to Creative Week is the "unConference," where the brightest minds in the creative industry gather for a fast-paced, free-form, highly interactive session to answer this year's prompt "What I Learned From...," share ideas and explore opportunities emerging in today's shifting media landscape. The final unConference session also will be conducted in Brooklyn on Thursday, May 10 at the Front Street Galleries.
Stillwell Partners, best known as the organizers of the annual industry confab, Advertising Week, is partnering with The One Club for the first time this year to expand Creative Week. "Creativity is the new currency of global commerce," said Matt Scheckner, President & CEO of Stillwell Partners. "We are thrilled to build on what The One Club has established and give the industry a broader opportunity to embrace the ideal stage for a worldwide celebration of creativity: New York City."
"With more than 100 digital agencies and start-ups in DUMBO alone, the move Creative Week is making to cross the bridge into Brooklyn is a natural. Brooklyn's the new creative capitol and Creative Week is going to thrive here," said Alexandria Sica, Executive Director of the DUMBO Business Improvement District.
Creative Week seminars will take place at two venues with programming running concurrently. Manhattan's City Winery in lower Manhattan will host seminars on May 7 & 8. Brooklyn's Galapagos Art Space will host seminars May 7-9.