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Speaker on stage beside a large map of vacant and abandoned buildings.
Videos

27 Mar 2015

How to revive a neighborhood: with imagination, beauty and art

By Theaster Gates for TED

Theaster Gates is a potter and community leader who shares how he transformed empty, run-down buildings into places where people can connect and create. In this talk, he shows how to see problems as opportunities, start with what you already have, and use art and culture to bring communities together and create positive change.

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Summary

  • See how Gates transformed "nothing" into something valuable, and how limitations actually elevated his creativity.
  • Learn how cultural projects can revitalise communities, creating connections and driving renewal.
  • Gates shares how his projects began on a small scale and expanded to impact entire neighbourhoods and the city.
  • Watch how change relied on diverse skills and collaboration, bringing people together to create sustainable and meaningful community impact.
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