Ideas 2024

Innovation & insight meets conversation. Curated talks and workshops with global thinkers and doers.
Our Ideas Series format will consist of 3 days of summits, each having 5 events related to the topic of that day.

Climate Activism and Optimism

Ideas Summit: Environmental Voices

Lucy Nalpathanchil moderates a powerful conversation on Activism and Optimism that features LGBTQ BIPOC activists Adrian Huq, co-founder of the New Haven Climate Movement Youth Action Team, and Kwolanne Felix, Fellowship and Community Manager at Black Girl Environmentalist.

WORKSHOP: Save the Sound: Reconnected (Restoring the Rivers of Long Island Sound)

Ideas Summit: Environmental Voices

Join us for "Save the Sound: Reconnected," a documentary film screening and panel discussion on the restoration of Long Island Sound rivers through dam removal. Explore the ecological benefits of this initiative and engage with experts in a dynamic conversation on environmental restoration and conservation efforts.

Climate Displacement

Ideas Summit: Environmental Voices

Join us for an enlightening discussion on climate displacement, featuring speaker Tabitha Sookdeo from IRIS, Maya Prabhu from Law at Yale Law School and Yale School of Medicine, and Keshia "Talking Waters" De Freece from Sovereign Science LLC.

WORKSHOP: Climate and Migration Resource Fair

Ideas Summit: Environmental Voices

Discover a wealth of resources at our Climate and Migration Resource Fair. Join us to explore essential services and initiatives aimed at addressing climate challenges and supporting immigrant communities in Connecticut. Connect with organizations dedicated to making a positive impact on these vital issues.

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson in conversation with John Dankosky

Ideas Summit: Environmental Voices

Can science save us? Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson of Urban Ocean Lab and John Dankosky from Science Friday, discussing Dr.

Tempests of the Mind: Exploring Climate Change, Shakespeare, and the Human Experience

Ideas Unleashed

Step into the tempestuous world of Shakespeare's King Lear and explore its profound relevance to our modern climate challenges! No work of English literature speaks more directly to human vulnerability in the face of climate disruption than Shakespeare's King Lear. The old king, thrust into the storm, feels his environmental weakness to his skin.

Amy Tan: Backyard Bird Chronicles

Explore the world of birds like you never have before with bestselling author Amy Tan at the newly remodeled Yale Peabody Museum! Join us for a celebration of all things avian as Amy shares insights from her recent book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles. Discover the beauty of nature through Amy’s witty anecdotes, observations, and stunning illustrations.

Social Connections to End Loneliness

Ideas Summit: How We Live

Join host Catherine Shen on CT Public's "Where We Live" as she moderates an engaging discussion with Deb Bibbins, founder of For All Ages.

WORKSHOP: Social Connection Art Workshop with Kwadwo Adae

Ideas Summit: How We Live

Participants in the workshop will pair off and describe a vulnerable time where they felt the most lonely in their lives. The person that shares their description will have their opposite partner draw the experience to the best of their ability on half the paper.

Redefining Aging: Embracing a New Paradigm

Ideas Summit: How We Live

Join author and activist Ashton Applewhite and Donna Fedus from Borrow My Glasses for an enlightening conversation on aging and inclusivity. Discover how aging can be a period of growth and vitality, while exploring strategies to combat ageism and promote fairness.

WORKSHOP: Rethinking Age Discrimination: Your Attitude About Aging Impacts Your Future (with Donna Fedus)

Ideas Summit: How We Live

The experience of aging is drastically different from what it was just one or two generations ago. Yet age bias persists. Age stereotypes and discrimination are harmful for our own self-talk and for any older adult we interact with.

Decoding the Science of Happiness with Laurie Santos and Tamar Gendler

Ideas Summit: How We Live

Join Laurie Santos, host of the Happiness Lab Podcast, and Tamar Gendler, Yale Professor of Philosophy and the Science of Human Nature, for an enlightening discussion on the science, history, and philosophy of happiness. Learn useful tips and ideas on how to live a more positive life.

Voting Rights – Citywide Youth Coalition

Ideas Unleashed

Join us for an exciting community conversation hosted by the Citywide Youth Coalition Inc! We're diving into the topic of expanding voting rights to 16-year-olds for local state elections. Let's empower our youth with knowledge about civic engagement and voting practices.

Indigenous Cooking with Sherry Pocknett

Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure with Chef Sherry Pocknett, a true pioneer and recipient of the prestigious James Beard award for the Best Chef in the Northeastern United States and the first Indigenous woman to win the award! Join us for an interactive session featuring Chef Pocknett's captivating stories and live cooking demonstration. Discover the rich heritage of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe while savoring the flavors of seasonal bounty with her delicious corn cakes and cranberry strawberry chutney. And don't miss your chance to be one of the lucky six to join in the cooking fun!

Live Broadcast of CT Mirror’s “In The Room” with Erick Russell

Ideas Unleashed

Enjoy an unforgettable evening with John Dankosky, CT Mirror's Director of Events, and Erick Russell, Connecticut’s 84th State Treasurer!

Changemakers: Ana María Álvarez & Aaron Jafferis

Ideas Unleashed

Join us for an exciting conversation with Ana María Álvarez, Founding Artistic Director of CONTRA-TIEMPO, and Aaron Jafferis, hip-hop poet and playwright, as they delve into the intersection of art and activism. Discover the power of using your creativity as a tool for social change and empowerment.

Perspectives on Cultural Preservation

Ideas Summit: Intersections in the Arts

An enlightening panel featuring esteemed speakers as they share their unique perspectives on the vital importance of preserving cultural identities in our rapidly changing world. This discussion will delve into the reasons why protecting our diverse cultural heritages is crucial not only for maintaining a sense of identity and community today but also for safeguarding these rich traditions for future generations.

WORKSHOP: Midnight Oil Collective: Breaking Barriers: Transforming the Starving Artist Myth into Sustainable Creativity

Ideas Summit: Intersections in the Arts

Artists are passionate catalysts for change, envisioning a world transformed for the better through the power of art. Yet, they often face a persistent struggle: the dream of art inspiring change versus the systemic barriers of scarcity of funding, resources, and support. This tension stifles their creative potential and their role in driving societal progress.

Freedom of Expression

Ideas Summit: Intersections in the Arts

Get ready to be inspired by an important talk about the culture wars happening in the United States focusing on how more and more books are being banned and restricted. Find out about the problems librarians and teachers have to deal with as they try to handle these tricky issues.

TRANSforming Shakespeare

Ideas Summit: Intersections in the Arts

Discover the transformative power of creative casting in "TRANSforming Shakespeare." In a rapidly evolving world, delve into how gender concepts shape our interpretations of Shakespearean tales.

Elm Shakespeare’s Building a Brave New Theatre 2024

Elm Shakespeare’s annual discussion and performance series interrogates how Shakespeare serves the 21st Century and amplifies innovative and marginalized artistic voices. This year the series focuses on exploring Gender through Shakespeare. The Festival is thrilled to partner with Elm Shakespeare to present one event in this series as part of the Festival’s June 29 Ideas Summit: Intersections in the Arts. TRANSforming Shakespeare: How Creative Casting Makes Better Plays

NXTHVN cARTie

EXHIBIT

Step into a world of creativity and reflection with NXTHVN's 2023-2024 Apprentices as they proudly present "Legacy: What Does it Mean to You?" This dynamic exhibition, housed in the mobile art museum cARTie, showcases original artworks exploring the concept of legacy.

Turning to the Humanities in Challenging Times with Shelly Lowe and Jason Mancini

Ideas Summit: Intersections in the Arts

Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo), Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Jason Mancini, Executive Director of Connecticut Humanities, will discuss the  critical role the humanities play in tackling society’s toughest contemporary challenges.