On May 9, 2011 the Music Center joined with The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation to host an event with Dr. John E. Deasy (Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District), Scott Noppe-Brandon (Executive Director, Lincoln Center Institute, Founder of the 50-State Imagination Conversation, and Author of Imagination First), and Sir Ken Robinson, PhD (International Leader in Creativity and New York Times Bestselling Author).

The Imagination Conversation is a project of Lincoln Center Institute, the educational cornerstone of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and a leader in developing skills of inquiry, imagination, and creativity.

Click on the video title links below to watch a popup video of each segment

Welcome and Introduction to Imagination Conversation

Origins of the Imagination Conversation Project

Can Imagination and Creativity be Taught?

Why our education systems are biased against Imagination

Imagination Makes Empathy Possible

We Need to Believe in the Youth of Los Angeles

Creativity is not an "add-on" but calls for radical change in our schools

We say we want to foster creativity, why is it not happening in our schools?

Chinese seek the very creativity we devalue in schools

Is Change Possible within Framework of No Child Left Behind?

Can Creativity be Assessed?

Can the Imagination Conversation help LAUSD Address Key Challenges, or is it a Luxury to Get to Later?

What if New Schools Were Designed to Focus on Imagination and Creativity?

Beware the Limitations of Standardized Tests

Lack of Funding is the Real "Elephant in the Room"

"If We Figure This Out, the World Can Learn from Los Angeles"

Final Closing Comments for LA Imagination Conversation