The Entrepeneurs of CODA

Attending the CODA conference last month convinced me that this organization is one of the most important in Memphis. And its greatest effect is yet to come.

My favorite session was not in the original program. When a speaker had to drop out, the conference filled the space with a discussion by the Rhodes CODA fellows. These Rhodes students discussed the cultural projects that they undertake as part of their fellowships. It was a creative and critical conversation between each other about their projects and best approaches. We witnessed the process, and the process -- arts entrepeneurship -- is very exciting.

Not just temporary, academic, learning projects, the projects, by CODA standards, must be sustainable. The organization, group, institution or business that the student creates must be built to survive its founder's graduation from Rhodes and possible departure from Memphis. And it must survive in the community, not just Rhodes.

These are not academic projects created by future leaders. They are real-world arts startups created by entrepeneurs now!

I think Memphis can -- should -- learn a lot from what they're doing. Huzzah to Dr. Timothy Sharp and John Weeden for their innovative leadership.

Update: Art Scene on WYPL TV-18 has an interview this week with John Weeden, Assistant Director of CODA.

A Good Question

John Weeden of Weeden Arts Watch and Rhodes' CODA fame concludes a very interesting series of posts about a recent trip to Portland with a question for his readers.

Would you please help me out on this by letting me know what you believe to be the best aspects of Memphis, and why they contribute to a particular sort of 'cool' unique to Memphis? Of course, there's the obvious music pedigree of the blues, rock n'roll, jazz and soul, but that's almost too easy. Enough books have been written on Memphis music to fill the entire Library of Congress, but I'm looking for the 'what else' here. What else is there to Memphis beyond blues and barbecue? What make us special? What makes Memphis most Memphis?

Go over and answer. While there check out the images of Weeden's handwritten notes on the Portland trip. Visually inspiring.

I also have to write something about the mind-expanding CODA conference I went to last month.