Academy of the South Side

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20. However, it was awarded a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

Start a painters' resource in Pittsburgh by teaching classes, holding workshops, and importing cutting edge artists from other regions to give demonstrations and improve arts education.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Dan Vogel, Tim Meehan, Shervin Iranshahr

What is the idea?

To start a painters' resource in Pgh by teaching classes, holding workshops, and importing cutting edge artists from other regions to give demonstrations and improve arts education

How would idea work?

• Start by giving painting classes for portraiture, figures, and utility drawing
• Import Sean Cheetham from LA and hold open model sessions and demonstrations to introduce program and for PR
• Teach palette systems, brush techniques, drawing methods, rendering practices, etc

Pluses:

• Help high school students prepare portfolios to enter prestigious art schools
• College students can take as supplemental education and eventually gain credit
• Young adults and hobbyists can take classes ala carte or as a comprehensive tract

Concerns:

• Sufficient interest and funding
• Accreditation issues
• Spreading to different disciplines

Community opportunities:

Mostly ages 16-35, but will create a larger awareness of Pgh as an arts education hotbed

Art Always

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Public art performance spaces in the city and parks for artists to create and perform in

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Linda Plowman, Elizabeth Macwillie, Karthik D. Kathy Mccaluley

What is the idea?

Public art performance spaces in the city and parks for artists to create and perform in

How would idea work?

• Public art performance spaces
• Improved permanent spaces
• Dedicated musician spots
• Create music in the streets
• Start with vacant lots

Pluses:

• Brings art to the community
• Bridges gaps
• Exposure to local artists
• Brings art to low income neighborhoods

Concerns:

• Seasonal concerns
• How to attract and sustain a crowd
• Possible indoor spaces
• How to get artists involved
• Safety

Community opportunities:

Community areas

Art Aware

This Idea has been promoted to the Top 20.

Idea Overview

Public awareness for Pgh art events spanning all types of media (sculpture, painting, theater)

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Candice Toman, Feb Zetts, Cally McCoy

What is the idea?

Public awareness for Pgh art events spanning all types of media (sculpture, painting, theater)

How would idea work?

• Vending machines that sell bottled water with tickets, schedules, etc
• Give people opportunity to see new art events
• Supports art in Pgh
• Money donated back to artists
• Art in a tube with paints, cards, event postings

Pluses:

• Educates
• Supports local artists
• Bridges gap between people and art
• Makes art accessible

Concerns:

• Overuse of vending machines
• Misuse of machines
• Coordination with city officials

Community opportunities:

Children, non-profits, local artists, public at large

Arts Industry Incubator

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20. If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[No concept sheet completed]

Arts Publication

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

An arts publication that supports existing venues, individual artists (through grants, studio information, and resources), educates the public, and unites all three: Publication helps articulate the needs of artists to local government and surrounding community. *web publication/ small print run.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Ally, Katherine, Justin

What is the idea?

An arts publication that supports existing venues, individual artists (through grants, studio information, and resources), educates the public, and unites all three: Publication helps articulate the needs of artists to local government and surrounding community. *web publication/ small print run.

How would idea work?

• Grant, studio, education, and exhibit information, gallery events, venues, maps, artist classifieds (Craigslist for artists), features artists, art classes, and art as it relates to community
• Supports, expands, and enriches local arts community
• Local Web design company
• Bimonthly publication and media posting

Pluses:

• Connects artists to each other and to the community
• Provides patrons of the arts with centralized resource guide
• Fosters development of new projects

Concerns:

• Should it be web or print?
• Don't want to exclude non computer users but want to avoid costs and trouble of print
• Who maintains/runs publication and information resources
• Encourage artists/venues/educators to submit information

Community opportunities:

Artists, creative businesses, youth and adult education, neighborhood alliances and community development

Bridge Fest, Part II

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20. If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

Art-up the bridges

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Erin Molchany, Zoe Eng Berg, Jaylin Thomas

What is the idea?

• Artists and community groups design and "Art-up" the bridges
• Juried competition of finished bridges
• Bridges would be national attraction as giant art exhibit
• Big party with winning bridge

How would idea work?

• Pgh companies "adopt" or sponsor a bridge
• Aesthetic and artist exposure and Pgh becomes national attraction
• City permits and call for artists and community participation
• Businesses work with artists

Pluses:

• National recognition
• Artist outlet
• Bridging business, art, and community showcasing the history of Pgh
• Increased foot, boat, bike traffic to see the bridges

Concerns:

• City permits and road closures
• Funding
• Capacity for painting, draping, completing the bridges
• Maintenance of the exhibit

Community opportunities:

Local artists, residents, Pgh companies, visitors, tourist industry, community volunteer opportunities

Cross-Pollinate Pittsburgh

 This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Using open spaces to promote community interaction through interaction through a free pollinating circus with local, traveling artists

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Cliff Luft, Bill Godfrey, Tim Meehan, Bill Eberle, Nikhil Shirali

What is the idea?

Using open spaces to promote community interaction through interaction through a free pollinating circus with local, traveling artists

How would idea work?

• Create PR brochure, survey, and utilize all free advertisements to gain artist interests, locate neighborhoods, etc.
• Each month it hits a different community center
• Different ethnic food of the month (Indian, Greek, BBQ, etc)
• Music and theatrical performances, art displays, workshops
• A honeycomb entrance way, a variety show type format with people who have unusual talents/abilities
• Social networking websites; uses youth groups (schools, churches, etc) to attract talent
• Free with fundraising/donations

Pluses:

• Bring art and commerce through cross-neighborhood tourism to communities around the city
• Any section/any genre is open for discussion. Not restrictions
• Not capital intensive
• Fostering a sense of local community pride for residents of the relative neighborhood

Concerns:

• Security
• Insurance
• Port-o-johns/sanitation

Community opportunities:

• General public
• Community leaders
• Businesses looking to advertise
• Artists looking to get free advertising/exposure
  

Crossing Bridges

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[No concept sheet submitted]

Graffiti Museum

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

Safe haven for taggers/artists, museums without walls is a place for graffiti artists to express themselves on designated places for graffiti art

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Room 617

What is the idea?

Safe haven for taggers/artists, museums without walls is a place for graffiti artists to express themselves on designated places for graffiti art

How would idea work?

• Locations/stations to create graffiti art
• Large, moveable canvases and surfaces that are left in neighborhoods that can be relocated for display
• Inter-neighborhood competitions
• Bring in famous graffiti artists
• Photograph (especially the temporary work) and create a Pgh book
• Sell books, calendars, postcards, wrapping paper based on works
• Surfaces can be canvas, sculpture, static walls

Pluses:

• Beautification
• Entertainment
• Publicity
• Tourist attraction

Concerns:

• Public outlash

Community opportunities:

Teens, taggers, artists

Hot Spot Signs

This Idea has been promoted to the Top 20. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

Hub-Bub

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

Pittsburgh Artists Coming Together (PACT)

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

Collaborative of local artists of all genres, "one-stop-shop" centrally located downtown - one building

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Emily, Natalie, Rob, Heidi

What is the idea?

Collaborative of local artists of all genres, "one-stop-shop" centrally located downtown - one building

How would idea work?

• One building containing gallery, performance, office, rehearsal spaces, darkroom, etc
• Membership and classes
• Opportunities for artist and genre collaboration
• Information hub with flyer and ad space
• Map of Pgh art spaces
• Regulated and governed advisory board

Pluses:

• Showcase local artists
• Exposure of diverse art forms
• Community/artist collaborative
• Information/idea sharing

Concerns:

• Space allocation and time sharing
• Necessary technology and equipment
• Utilities

Community opportunities:

Everyone can benefit by enjoying the collaborative projects and community identity

Pittsburgh Jazz Museum

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

Create an institution whose mission is to preserve documents and support Pgh's role in the rich legacy of jazz in America. Through performance, education, exhibition and research the museum will stimulate the active tradition of jazz as a living part of community and culture.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Jennifer Baron, Tanya Ferell, Greg Langel, Karen Dejulio, Bob Nev

What is the idea?

To create an institution whose mission is to preserve documents and support Pgh's role in the rich legacy of jazz in America. Through performance, education, exhibition and research the museum will stimulate the active tradition of jazz as a living part of community and culture.

How would idea work?

• The building would be situated somewhere in the traditionally "hot" areas of Pgh jazz history (The Hill, East End)
• There would be exhibits, didactic text, images, audio and video recordings
• A functioning recreation of a Pgh jazz club and restaurant
• A recording studio
• Oral history program called Jazz Story focusing on grassroots memories of Pgh jazz scene
• Ultimately produce documentaries

Pluses:

National collaborations with Carnegie Museums, Teenie Harris archives, MCG, Hill District CDC and Granada Theatre, Pgh 250, Pgh Musicians Union, Duquesne, Pitt, DUQ, Kelly Strayhorn Theatre, Afro American Music Institute, Jazz Workshop, August Wilson Center, Carnegie Library, and Pgh's rich pantheon of local living-legend jazz musicians.

Concerns:

Areas of jurisdiction among all of the above, or degrees of participation and control

Community opportunities:

• Historians
• Jazz musicians
• Black and white people to unite in common heritage
• Community sites of famous jazz occurrences
• Walking maps with recording stops

Progressive Pittsburgh

This Idea has been incorporated into the Community Exchange Club. 

Idea Overview

Monthly dining club with art and political themes with the goal to bring attention to local restaurants and artists; using food to experience art and civic involvement

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Linda Plowman, Cally McKoy, Elizabeth Macwillie

What is the idea?

Monthly dining club with art and political themes with the goal to bring attention to local restaurants and artists; using food to experience art and civic involvement

How would idea work?

• Progressive Pgh Punchcard
• Local, new, and artisan's restaurants
• Promotes dining in local neighborhoods to promote idea of local Pgh
• Newsletter and restaurant tours

Pluses:

• Promotes small, new restaurants
• Brings civic pride to local neighborhoods and businesses
• Brings communities together

Concerns:

• How to make affordable and self-sustaining?
• Willingness for business to cooperate?
• Creating a buzz

Community opportunities:

Bringing together artists and politicians with community members

Pulse of Pittsburgh

This Idea has been incorporated into the Greater Pittsburgh Web Hub. 

Idea Overview

Pittsburgh artistic resources for collaboration in corporate use in form of website and central office

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Heather Ferri, Sara Eilene Riddle, Michael Knight, Joann Wheeler, Oliver Poppenberg

What is the idea?

Pgh artistic resources for collaboration in corporate use in form of website and central office

How would idea work?

• Administrative team - create a website plus storefront to publicize Pgh talent to use Pgh people. Website will link to "artist page"
• Create a resource book about Pgh talent that local artist can use for promotion when traveling

Pluses:

• Awareness of Pgh artists
• Builds community between artists and corporations
• Financially we would create more opportunities to attract people to Pgh

Concerns:

• Challenge is finding he way to connect businesses and artists
• Artists need help in promoting talents - help with presentation material

Community opportunities:

Arts community, equity actors, corporations, educational institutions that train artists

Rec Room

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

Creating a devoted collection and space in the Carnegie Library to house resources for Pgh artists and archives for the Pgh arts communities through the years

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Ben Hartledge, Lindsay Clark, Heather Kropf

What is the idea?

• Creating a devoted collection and space in the Carnegie Library to house resources for Pgh artists and archives for the Pgh arts communities through the years
• Also acts as an access point for those who are interested in viewing and participating in the arts

How would idea work?

• Listening room for local music and arts oriented - oral history
• Resource swap allows patrons to check out tools (i.e. instruments, artist tools)
• Workshops, events, show build community
• Cultural archive (i.e. poster library) allows current arts community to build on past
• Work with Foundation Center to create targeted funding resources for artist
• Resources for artists to digitize and archive work to create a database for businesses and individuals to contract and commission work
• Resources for cultural tourists to acquaint themselves with local arts

Pluses:

• Library serves as neutral unthreatening space, well known as an information resource
• Centralized location for artist and patrons to find out about and connect with each other
• Develops and highlights Pgh's individual popular culture and cultural achievements

Concerns:

• A long term investment in time to collect
• Possible loss and damage to collection - harder to replace
• Dependant on cooperation of a physical space

Community opportunities:

People who want to become active in the arts as artists or patrons or collectors or promoters and artists themselves

Sculpturus Maximus

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

A new, large, interactive, permanent sculpture in a high traffic area to be a national landmark, bring people together in a meeting space, and serve as a representative of Pgh and its art

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Jacob, Jonathan, Roland

What is the idea?

A new, large, interactive, permanent sculpture in a high traffic area to:

• Be a national landmark
• Bring people together in a meeting space
• Serve as a representative of Pgh and its art

How would idea work?

• Promote by having a large mock sculpture draped in secrecy at location. This work would have a landscaped plaza
• Have artist at location to sketch community visions
• Hand out design contest flyers all around city
• Examples are: life-size game board in Philly, St Louis arch, silver bean in Chicago

Pluses:

• Local pride
• City visibility
• Unified mark of several city aspects

Concerns:

• Hard to represent Pgh
• Could become city's only image

Community opportunities:

Vend Pittsburgh Campaign

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

West End Wanderings

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Josh, Chuck, Patrick, Larry

What is the idea?

Using abandoned storefronts in the West End to display art work that reflects the neighborhood history

How would idea work?

• Bring attention to West End and awaken the cultural void
• Photos, paintings, writing - all West End themed
• Brings people to the neighborhood
• Have block party to get people excited and engaged

Pluses:

• Boost local morale by bring something positive to the area
• Assist in neighborhood revitalization

Concerns:

• Contacting building owners
• Collaborating artwork

Community opportunities:

James Gallery, Armands Art Gallery

Bob's Bean

This Idea has been incorporated into  to the Community Exchange Club.

Idea Overview

Follow Bob into communities: traveling civic coffee truck and net cafe

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Christine Brill, Steve Salas, Jessica Jade Jacob, Kate Showalter, Mark Raterkus, Jonathan Kline, Lee Colig, Jaylin Thomas

What is the idea?

Mobile, high tech, temporary day-long town hall with facilitator to Hike, Huddle, and Hypothesize in a cast

How would idea work?

Community dialogue with digital support, coffee, tea, and locally grown cider

Pluses:

• Flexible
• Mobile
• Net allows improved community dialogues, neighborhood relations, and better citizen communications

Concerns:

• Cost
• Community involvement

Community opportunities:

Know each other better and host salon gatherings with purpose on talk to pressing community needs

Bumper Debates

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

Knowledge Base

This Idea has been incorporated into the Greater Pittsburgh Web Hub. 

Idea Overview

One-stop shop for civic engagement with online clearinghouse of information on politicians/candidates

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

All of 519

What is the idea?

One-stop shop for civic engagement

How would idea work?

• Online clearing house
• Presence in libraries
• Materials distributed through partner organizations (political groups, civic groups, etc)
• Knowledge Base verifies and edits information
• Marketed to under 40
• Could coordinate events such as town hall meetings
• Information - full range from how/where to register to vote; who are local government representatives and how they vote on issues; other information on local politics

Pluses:

• Ease of access to information
• Ease for politicians and candidates to distribute platforms
• Increased involvement of under 40 in political process

Concerns:

• Credibility and objectivity of information
• Funding
• Reaching those who don't think they are interested in politics

Community opportunities:

• Increases community and political involvement
• Gives politicians easy place to distribute platform
• Citizens can more easily learn about government happenings

Mix Burgh

This Idea has been promoted to the Top 20. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

New Faces Campaign

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

Speak Up

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

Community Celebrations

Ideas that pertain to Community Celebrations

Community Clean-ups

Ideas that pertain to Community Clean-ups

Community Spaces

Ideas that pertain to Community Spaces

Attention/Retention

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Marley Kay, Tom, Meredith, Brian, Paul, Katrina, Johanna, Olivia, Beth, Jina, Greg

What is the idea?

• Jobs - know about funding and start-up opportunities, offer exposure of good pay
• Entertainment - too many bars
• Attracting business to Pgh, or creating support for small and new business
• Banking services that support business
• Downtown housing
• Downtown grocery
• Re-zoning/structuring of Downtown to create an area that is more "livable" and not so extremely white collar

Bribe To Stay

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

Entrepreneurial effort to educate and fund high school students to start their own local businesses in lieu of going to college or provide scholarship to attend a local college

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Luis Elorreaga, Dan Vogel

What is the idea?

Entrepreneurial effort to educate and fund high school students to start their own local businesses in lieu of going to college or provide scholarship to attend a local college

How would idea work?

• Business plan development training at high school level
• Mentorship/internship opportunities in local businesses and associations, universities
• Continued support
• Start-up funds for business or scholarship to remain in the region

Pluses:

• Retention of youth (3-5 year minimum)
• Development of economic base
• Provides alternative for motivated high school students to contribute to region

Concerns:

• Interest in program
• Potential for businesses to fail
• Failure to honor residency requirements
• Reliant on collaboration of businesses and colleges

Community opportunities:

• High school students looking for alternatives to college
• Entrepreneurial community (CMU, Pitt, etc)
• Reinvention of Pgh economic base
• Neighborhoods with empty store fronts and lot

Idea Bridge

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

Pgh' universities offer an enormous untapped resource of knowledge and ideas that could benefit the community. We seek to bridge the gap between this resource and the city leaders.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Ben Pelhan, Colleen Everett

What is the idea?

Pgh' universities offer an enormous untapped resource of knowledge and ideas that could benefit the community. We seek to bridge the gap between this resource and the city leaders.

How would idea work?

• Idea scout will develop a network of contacts with Pgh Universities and its civic and business leadership
• We will scout the universities for projects and ideas that can improve Pgh
• Introduce idea creator to appropriate Pgh leaders for implementation

Pluses:

• Taps one of city's greatest resources
• Creates opportunities for students, possibly keep them in Pgh
• Benefits various community aspects and city's leadership
• Potentially millions of dollars of free consulting

Concerns:

• Need to get social network in place
• Need to convince leadership and community of program credibility
• Individual projects

Community opportunities:

• It is a win-win-win situation
• Students benefit form opportunities that develop
• Community benefits from successful ideas
• Leaders benefit from good publicity, happier community and money saved
  

Pittsburgh Information Gap

This Idea has been incorporated into the Greater Pittsburgh Web Hub. 

Idea Overview

Establish an organization to bring small businesses and organizations to web by using starter web pages. Establish a portal web site that automatically aggregates information from these new/existing web sites.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

?

What is the idea?

Establish an organization to bring small businesses and organizations to web by using starter web pages. Establish a portal web site that automatically aggregates information from these new/existing web sites.

How would idea work?

• Small technical assistance group - half paid tech people and volunteers
• Consult, design, modify websites for small business
• New websites incorporate active code that broadcasts information to the portal site
• Portal site is comprehensive database of information and events in Pgh, aggregates information from websites

Pluses:

• Small business and organizations on the web
• Easy, single stop public access to Pgh information
• Easy access for under represented organizations

Concerns:

• Funding
• Stability
• PR/advertising

Community opportunities:

Community organizations and small businesses

Pittsburgh New Business Co-op

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Incubate new businesses and entrepreneurships and non-profits using a co-op and shared-space model

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

All of room 519

What is the idea?

• Incubate new businesses and entrepreneurships and non-profits
• Facilitate synergy/collaboration and use of resources from moving businesses
• Be a co-op and provide a physical space for businesses to come together

How would idea work?

• Shared physical space - no or low-rent offices for new businesses
• Small business advisory services (business plans, mktg, finance, insurance)
• Focus and emphasis on collaboration
• Grants for businesses in co-op to use each others' services
• Service element required for those involved

Pluses:

• Retains young entrepreneurs in region
• Encourages innovation
• Creates networks
• Attracts entrepreneurs to area
• Creates traffic
• Encourages dense urban development
• Encourages intersections of many disciplines

Concerns:

• Starting capital
• Risky

Community opportunities:

Business and community development

Take A Risk Foundation

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Provide support and funding to 2-3 risky, big budget ventures in the following areas: marketing/re-branding efforts; high-risk businesses with big growth potential; risky, progressive governmental policies, and arts

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Greg Heller LaBelle, Martha Riecks, Allyson Katz, Rachel Vallozi, Ryan

What is the idea?

Provide support and funding to 2-3 risky, big budget ventures in the following areas: marketing/re-branding efforts; high-risk businesses with big growth potential; risky, progressive governmental policies, and arts

How would idea work?

Create national media attention with wacky, insane publicity stunts around our brand (green, clean, cheap)

Pluses:

• We are raising the stakes for artists, politicians, business owners
• Fix Pittsburgh's inadequacy complex
• It's visible out of town
• Businesses will begin to re-brand our region as over the top, risky

Concerns:

• High risk - take a risk foundation
• Ideas could marginalize people

Community opportunities:

Business, arts, politics

Adaptive Reuse

Ideas that pertain to Adaptive Reuse

Community Farms and Gardens

Ideas that pertain to Community Farms and Gardens

Green Spaces

Ideas that pertain to Green Spaces

Practices/Policies

Ideas that pertain to Green Policies/Practices

Habitat for Community

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

Pittsburgh Flats

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20. If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

Provide affordable co-housing option to young, pre home-owning professionals

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Lauren Owens, Joanne Pompeo, Missy Raterman

What is the idea?

Provide affordable co-housing option to young, pre home-owning professionals

How would idea work?

• Capitalize on houses in existing market
• Set up prototype co-housing unit that doubles as a resource center to help other groups set up a similar housing project
• 3 component housing structure: personal, communal, and public

Pluses:

• Provides social network
• Provides affordable home-owner option
• Builds new communities

Concerns:

• Housing zoning issues
• Legal ownership issues
• Mediation of household issues

Community opportunities:

• Improving local housing stock and young population retention
• Enhancing communities by building strong relationships

Pittsburgh Shared

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

A self sustained living space to satisfy basic needs

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Tanya Ferrell, Bob Nev, Greg Langel, Jennifer Baron, Karen Dejulio, Jan Held

What is the idea?

A self sustained living space to satisfy basic needs

How would idea work?

• We will convert unused structures and lots throughout the region to communal living
• The spaces will provide free living and public services
• It would be income generating and self-sufficient
• People will grow their own food, accept responsibility for one another's welfare, and be responsible for up-keep

Pluses:

• Provide a stable environment
• Access to technology, education, employment
• Self-sufficient, inter-dependency among the denizens
• Helps people in transition
• Gets people off the streets

Concerns:

• Making it self sustained
• Money
• Who governs it
• Security and safety

Community opportunities:

Rehabitat

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Rehabilitate houses in low to moderate income neighborhoods by employing youth and out-of-work adults to do renovation and then providing homes to the community to live in and own.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Hilary Meurer, Jessica King, Matt O'Brien, Shad Henderson, Lauren

What is the idea?

Rehabilitate houses in low to moderate income neighborhoods by employing youth and out-of-work adults to do renovation and then providing homes to the community to live in and own.

How would idea work?

• Target houses on cusp of sustainable neighborhoods
• Deferred mortgages
• Professionals who are flexible and dedicated to oversee and teach workers
• Incentives such as targeting women or minority owned businesses to volunteer and to also make more affordable

Pluses:

• Employment and community education
• Improves distressed community
• Generates wealth and home ownership
• Benefits underserved population

Concerns:

• Motivation for contractors and professionals to donate
• Logistics - how to resell houses
• Competing agendas with other organizations who have similar goals

Community opportunities:

• Long-time residents who see their neighborhoods decay
• Neighborhoods seeking improvement
• Out-of-work people
  

Street Smart

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Convey information to homeless individuals on small wallet-sized cards

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Room 430

What is the idea?

Convey information to homeless individuals

How would idea work?

Place cards at shelters, soup kitchens, on the street with addresses, useful numbers, pretty art, bus fare

Pluses:

• Help individuals get to services
• Enables people
• Gives access to information
• Spurs conversation
• Initiates research study

Concerns:

• How to reach people
• Cards may be traded or sold
• In reality this is complex
• Is it enabling people to ignore the homeless?

Community opportunities:

• Connecting homeless organizations together
• Involving the homeless population

Big Fish Hub

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

Go Hub

This Idea has been incorporated into the Bus Stop Info Hub. 

Idea Overview

Digital information kiosks at bus stops with map-based touch screens/displays to improve usage and efficiency of Pgh public transportation

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Leigh, Jane, Curt

What is the idea?

Digital information kiosks at bus stops with map-based touch screens/displays to improve usage and efficiency of Pgh public transportation

How would idea work?

• Digital screens and/or touch screens provide schedules, maps, fees, points of interest, arrivals, delays, departures, disability information
• Printable information
• Flat screens located in every community
• Environmentally friendly

Pluses:

• Improves existing resources
• Better information
• User friendly
• Organized
• 24 hour availability to check delays and problems
• Interface with internet

Concerns:

• Theft and vandalism
• Could either eliminate paper waste or create more
• Techno-phobes and technology barriers

Community opportunities:

Everyone would benefit from this. Not only transit riders, but also cyclists and people walking by, could access all types of community information.

PGHFAQ

This Idea has been incorporated into the Greater Pittsburgh Web Hub. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

Pittsburgh Factoid Book

This Idea has been incorporated into the Pittsburgh Guidebook.

Idea Overview

Create an easy/accessible/fun book full of facts about the city that includes people, history, current events and is geared towards young people and new Pgh people

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Lucia M.

What is the idea?

Create an easy/accessible/fun book full of facts about the city that includes people, history, current events and is geared towards young people and new Pgh people

How would idea work?

• History, people, places, odd stuff
• Educate, inspire city pride
• Pictures, maybe even a type of jeopardy game included in it

Pluses:

• Young people would get to know more about its city, feel proud of its achievements so they can stay, live and work in the city
• New Pgher coming to the city will get acquainted

Concerns:

• Balance the information so it is informative, yet still fun to read

Community opportunities:

Neighborhood organizations, schools, restaurants, public places with high tourism

Shiny Red Bench

This Idea has been incorporated into the Information Kiosks. 

Idea Overview

The Shiny Red Bench is a series of identifiable branded interactive centers offering information delivered to the right place at the right time. Information covers things like arts, events, nightlife, history and more, in local neighborhoods.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Room 524

What is the idea?

The Shiny Red Bench is a series of identifiable branded interactive centers offering information delivered to the right place at the right time. Information covers things like arts, events, nightlife, history and more, in local neighborhoods. Content is kept fresh.

How would idea work?

• Visual icon
• Centralized network with benches and kiosks (digital information centers)
• Multilingual, touch screens, mapping, restaurants placed in high traffic areas (airport, convention center)
• Easy to use touch screens

Pluses:

• Link community
• Provides information on amenities
• Surveying
• Consistent marketing messages

Concerns:

• Weather, durability
• Upkeep
• Vandalism
• Content

Community opportunities:

Residents, travelers, sponsors

Top Stop

This Idea has been incorporated into the Bus Stop Info Hub. 

Idea Overview

Interactive source for information located at bus stops

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Claire Donato, Brent Boyd, Kate Peterson, Ester Marie Barbato

What is the idea?

Interactive source for information located at bus stops

How would idea work?

A vandalism proof technology would be installed at a pilot bus stop known for its high volume ridership. The technology would include:

• Video/audio news feeds (local, state, national, global)
• GPS locations of buses in transit and up-to-date schedule information
• Local points of interest per neighborhood
• Pamphlet distribution for local resources (health, politics, non-profits, etc)
• Limited internet access
• Solar powered roof

Pluses:

• Takes disable users into consideration
• Well-lit, creating inter-urban safe zone
• Cheap location venue for advertisements and information distribution
• Bus stop expands to its immediate surrounding

Concerns:

• Updating technology
• Vandalism, theft, heightened security

Community opportunities:

Everyone!!! Bus riders, community members, small businesses, etc...

U R Here

This Idea has been incorporated into the Information Kiosks. 

Idea Overview

Public kiosk of information about public events, transportation, performance schedules, city maps, and interesting points, placed throughout the city

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Karthik Raman, Jake Donham

What is the idea?

Public kiosk of information about public events, transportation, performance schedules, city maps, and interesting points, placed throughout the city

How would idea work?

• Inviting kiosks
• Functional and literal map
• Benches created by local artists
• Aesthetically and economically pleasing
• Live music
• Historic information
• Telephone, interactive, and web-based electronic capabilities

Pluses:

• Provides directions
• benefits business and tourists
• Pgh becomes more accessible
• Creates "street life" atmosphere
• Brings people together
• User friendly

Concerns:

• Who and how maintains?
• Function for disabled?
• Height accessibility - kid friendly?
• How is information dispensed?

Community opportunities:

Business owners, local non-profit groups, advertisers

Where 2 Go 2

This Idea has been incorporated into the Pittsburgh Guidebook. 

Idea Overview

An independently reviewed guide to things to do in Pgh broken down by where to eat, listen, see, shop, and play. There would be a searchable online component and a small format print version, as well as an annual guide.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Lissa Rosenthal, Anne Lopez, Michael Pelas, Paul D Stewart, Mark Rautecaus

What is the idea?

An independently reviewed guide to things to do in Pgh broken down by where to eat, listen, see, shop, and play. There would be a searchable online component and a small format print version, as well as an annual guide.

How would idea work?

• Print version is organized by neighborhood then by category and would indicate price range and ratings
• Important to be independently run and received - not driven by advertising
• Would provide convenient information for all ages, visitors and Pghers
• Would be great to work with cell phones to access information on the go

Pluses:

• Pghers could rank businesses
• One stop resource for information
• Attractive to tourists to learn about Pgh
• Convenient for new residents to quickly learn about all the neighborhoods

Concerns:

• Not a new idea - why didn't it work in Pgh?
• Funding to seed and sustain
• Technology - management of data and information must be updated daily
• Organizational structure
• Who runs it?
• Non-partial interaction with city government
• Uncensored
• Editors and reviewers

Community opportunities:

Business owners and residents

Word Up Pittsburgh

This Idea has been incorporated into the Greater Pittsburgh Web Hub. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

I Am From Pittsburgh

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Create a desire for people, individually, to invest in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Marley Kay, Tom, Meredith, Brian, Paul, Katrina, Johanna, Olivia, Beth, Jina, Greg

What is the idea?

Create a desire for people, individually, to invest in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area

How would idea work?

• It is all about awareness, a small step to greater change; change specifically in the direction of communities coming together and consolidating municipality services
• Series of events/happenings
• Year-long celebration in 2008 for the 250^th anniversary of Pgh
• Ads, buttons, bumper stickers
• Concerts, art events, community celebrations
• Social networking mechanism
• Bring back flux like events as bridge to communities
• Create a desire for people to invest individually in Pgh
• The metropolitan area: each borough can develop its local identity that can be celebrated and organized in one place
• A history, historical and contemporary of each area
• PR/branding/marketing plan for Pittsburgh to Pittsburghers

Pluses:

• We become bigger/diverse, change how Pgh actually looks
• Spread awareness

Concerns:

• The negative view currently held by people in the city
• Issues surrounding communities coming together

Community opportunities:

• Eventually bring municipalities together to decrease taxes
• By the end of the campaign individuals in the region will say with pride, "I am from Pittsburgh"

Living the Vision

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Lead the development of a city-wide identity

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Ann Rosenthal, Jessica Misken, Ted Golemen, Brenda Smith, Nin Bartanto, Joanna Deming

What is the idea?

• One organization leading the development of a city-wide identity

How would idea work?

• Using artists, universities, etc to facilitate community brainstorming
• Lead agency presents thought to governmental, non-profit and business sectors - gains advice and buy-in
• Once key ideas are generated present to designers and marketers to compete for logo/branding
• Community panel votes on idea
• Have a commitment from public officials

Sexercise

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Providing sex education to the Pittsburgh community

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Carole, Rosey, Tanya, Lauren

What is the idea?

Providing sex education to the Pittsburgh community--if you can’t talk about it, you shouldn’t be doing it!

How would idea work?

• Events including speakers, theme nights, readings
• Events and workshops at various venues, i.e. bars, nightclubs, political organizations, coffee spots
• Include activities directed, sex education, sexual expectations, and healthy living and bodily appreciation, make out parks
• Develop a website - market it like any community workshop

Pluses:

• Gets political and educational in a fun way
• We'll get to use a pole and swings!

Concerns:

Legality issues for the more explorative activities

Community opportunities:

Planned Parenthood, PERSAD, GLENDA, other political groups addressing sex issues

The Lomo: Local Mobile Bar

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

Bikes & Buses