Great ideas know no bounds: artists with disabilities, pedal-powered machines, resources for the music community, student-run farms, and writer-artist storytelling collaborations. These ideas represent the five award recipients for the OSU Urban Arts Space Idea Lab, a student-driven program that emphasizes creativity and entrepreneurship across different disciplines. The budding student entrepreneurs and their progress to date in implementing their ideas will be celebrated in a reception this Thursday evening at Urban Arts Space.

The idea of an entrepreneurship program or contest for students isn’t necessarily new. Think of student competitions at business or engineering schools. However, what distinguishes Idea Lab is its lack of a particular theme. Engineering students may have their robot battles and MBAs their supply chain competitions (yes, there are such things), but UAS did not place such parameters on Idea Lab. The call for entry asked for a preliminary budget, an advisor, responses to essay questions, and the idea itself, which did not have to be based in the arts. Creativity and the potential for implementation were more important criteria.

Another unique characteristic of Idea Lab is that it has been led by students through and through. According to Kelly Stevelt Kaser, Deputy Director of UAS, “one of the things we were really interested in was creating opportunities for students. We wanted to try a project where the students came up with the ideas and worked with other students to develop the ideas.” In designing Idea Lab, UAS worked with students from the Arts Policy & Administration program. Later on, UAS student assistants, along with professional staff, were involved in selecting the projects and then helping the winners develop their ideas into reality.

Many other people were involved in helping the students develop and implement their ideas, their backgrounds and expertise as diverse as the ideas themselves. OSU professors range from agriculture to business to visual arts, and organizations from Third Hank Bike Coop to United Cerebral Palsy of Central Ohio to Metro High School. Individual members of the community have also been in the mix. In some ways the reception will be like a big reunion, as UAS Student Coordinator Liz Celeste says, “We’re excited to bring everyone together.”

The process of helping students reach out to people and networks beyond campus may also provide a response to the ongoing question in civic circles about retaining talent. Kelly notes her experience as a student: “I went to Ohio State, and through various internships, I ended up really liking Columbus. I think it makes a difference to help students make connections in the city. They realize all the resources and opportunities out there.”

Considering the success of Idea Lab, UAS hopes to conduct the program again in the next academic year, pending renewed funding the Efroymson Family Fund. The scope of Idea Lab will remain open to all forms of creativity. If any improvements can be made, UAS will look to begin the program cycle earlier to allow more time for implementation of the awarded ideas.

Yup, there are some folks in plant costumes. Planting party at the Oval, part of the Student Farm project. Photo by Dani Deemer.

The Projects

Background information about the projects can be found on the UAS web site. Rather than repeat this information, the below details are focused on the current status of these projects and what you can expect when you go to the reception. There will be brief presentations on each of these projects at the reception, which will be at Urban Arts Space at 50 West Town Street on June 11 from 5pm to 8pm.

Connecting Abilities focuses on the abilities of artists with disabilities. This collaboration between OSU Arts Scholars, student artists, and Art Bridge Studio has already produced a number of works that will be on display at the reception. The works will later be shown at other venues such as Art Bridge, the Main Library, and Global Gallery. (Recipient: Morgan Green, undergraduate in Art Education)

Pedal Power for the People has developed machines that will run not on electricity or fuel but on pedaling, making them potentially applicable in parts of developing countries. The new machines include a generator, blender, and washing machine out of recycled bicycle parts. Two of these machines will be on display at the reception. (Recipient: Alex Hissong, undergraduate in Biomedical Engineering)

Cbus Sound Factory aims to provide resources for aspiring musicians, including recording and technology, business and distribution, and performance opportunities. A symposium is in the works for later this summer, which will consist of workshops, panel discussions, and short music performances. (Recipient: Robert Klein, graduate student in Geography)

The Student Farm at OSU is a student-run teaching and research farm at Waterman Agriculture and Natural Resources Laboratory. The project has established an organic garden at Waterman and held a planting party at the Oval. Future activities include produce stands at various venues and events, including UAS. (Recipient: Constance Rice, undergraduate in Environmental Science)

Storytelling Across the Arts brought together writers from OSU’s creative writing program and visual artists from the campus and community to collaborate on pieces that tell a story through both media. At an event of the same name on May 15, the works were showcased at UAS and the best were awarded prizes. The works will be on display again at the reception. (Recipient: KC Wolfe, graduate student in English)