REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF INTEREST To Establish

THE ARTHUR CLARKE CENTER FOR HUMAN IMAGINATION
To Investigate the Source, Reach and Impact of Human Imagination
and Put Opportunity in Its Path

from

The Arthur C. Clarke Foundation
93 East Centre Avenue
Newtown, PA 18940
U.S.A.
mojomo@verizon.net

INTRODUCTION

Formed in 1983 during the celebration of World Communications Year, the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation is led by individuals from the United States and the United Kingdom inspired by the exceptional creativity and impact of a physicist and mathematician turned science fiction author. 

In both careers, Sir Arthur Clarke, a world-recognized polymath, propelled humanity forward.  In the first, he led the team that perfected ground-control approach radar for aviation, and thereafter published the first articles on global satellite communications, including the derivation of the precise route for insertion of communication satellites into geostationary (now “Clarke”) orbit.  In the second, while losing no sense of adventure, he elevated the science fiction genre to a realm of insight into mankind’s ethical obligation to the future, and to the planet on which we live.

In the twenty–seven years since its formation, the Foundation has conducted programs believed to be of lasting value, with Sir Arthur’s support, approval and frequent participation.  It has formed or participated in student scholarship programs in engineering and space-related programs. It has conducted training seminars and research programs related to sustainability and global development.  It has presented Arthur C. Clarke Lifetime Achievement and Innovator’s Awards to a growing list of distinguished recipients.  It has formed and maintained alliances with like-minded institutions in many nations. It has done so out of regard for Sir Arthur and his work, which we view as an unparalleled synthesis of science, literature and social concern. Details of the Foundation’s mission, activities and leadership are fully described on its website, http://www.clarkefoundation.org. 

THE ARTHUR CLARKE CENTER

With this RFI, the Foundation seeks a partner to accept a challenge it believes will also be of lasting value.  That challenge is to create, develop, build, program and staff an academic center dedicated to the exploration and comprehension of the tool that was critical to Clarke’s accomplishments.  That critical tool is human imagination.  How does imagination happen?  How far can it go?  In the Clarke example, how does it converge in single individuals, enabling insight, creativity and awesome results along multiple paths?  How can parents and teachers be helped to invoke imagination in young people?  How can resourceful imagination become as valued in the classroom as academic achievement? 

Although the study of how polymaths such as Arthur Clarke’s emerge in global society is our prime focus in seeking a partner for the Clarke Center, we recognize that our potential partners may have other visions of how the Center might be formed and operated. Thus the Center could have other features that celebrate the life of Arthur Clarke and his creativity, focus on educational innovation, or create performance spaces and attractions that might draw on a global audience of visitors focused on the future and sustainability.

As creativity appears to intersect or respond to historic moments, how is imagination stimulated at those times? Among the environmental stimuli, when, most likely, did they begin?  What is their impact today?  Was a crisis the source … earthquakes, thunder, lightening, floods?  Did a search for magical solutions play a role?  Religion and sex have both been suggested as playing current roles in feeding imagination … were they in at the beginning?
 
In our view, academic research conducted at the Clarke Center would probe many areas. Does cultural context shape the creative process?  Why are imaginative ideas ignored or celebrated?  Why do they retreat or advance, seize the moment or silently change the atmosphere? Do the roots and paths of imagination differ when outcomes are in science, literature or the arts?  Does it matter if the subject of creativity is concrete or an abstract construction?

The Foundation will entertain proposals detailing how The Arthur Clarke Center could become an intersection of academic disciplines as an interdisciplinary endeavor, and how it will interact with the students, faculty, and the public. As noted earlier, it is anticipated that responses will vary, depending upon the various strengths and capabilities of the responders and their partners.  The Foundation will welcome those varying perspectives and accept them as a contribution to its own planning.  All options will be considered.

Our prime vision is that The Center will be planned as a focal point for active conversation on current research relating to human imagination in its various dimensions, with a keen eye toward application. As such, we also encourage partnership between academic institutions and other intellectual, exhibition and arts organizations to develop and present their concepts for The Center. The Center could become an intersection of disciplines for the purpose of identifying creative, innovative, and imaginative solutions to the challenges of contemporary and future societies. It is envisioned that The Center could and would serve as a global magnet that will draw interest from Clarke enthusiasts, futurists, educators and researchers, and a broad range of people from around the world.  The Center should make use of multi-disciplinary seminars, workshops, lecture series, media, public conferences, performances, public communication, and global events that allow public participation.  That list is by no means exclusive and thus, this is why we are seeking innovative institutions and partnerships to enrich our original conception and to give it life.

Responders may enhance our thinking with interdisciplinary options.  Products of The Center’s initiatives and studies should include books, monographs, essays, web casts, blogs, on-line publications, and media productions underscoring, demonstrating and highlighting the critical nature of imagination and its value to science, policy, culture and global society.  Therefore, such Clarke Center outputs may be directed to the university’s faculty, staff and students; to the neighboring community; and to research and operating institutions worldwide.

For its part, the Foundation will contribute its Board’s years of experience in space science, communication, education, university administration, architecture, industrial and business administration, journalism, engineering, public administration, diplomacy, and law.  The Foundation Board will also participate in fundraising for The Clarke Center, particularly through business leaders, entrepreneurs and entertainment industry figures known for their admiration and friendship with Sir Arthur.

BENEFITS OF HOSTING THE ARTHUR CLARKE CENTER

The Foundation believes that the Center’s impact will become global if it is organized soundly and conducted with conviction.  Therefore, the Foundation welcomes and encourages institutions throughout the world to respond to this request. The host university (an institution that grants both undergraduate and graduate degrees) and its partnering organizations or institutions should expect to find itself in communication with centers of learning, museums, performance centers, and arts organizations throughout the United States and around the globe.   (Throughout this RFI we refer to a “university” as the Clarke Center host partner since it is the most likely choice, but generically research centers, museums, and like special facilities are encouraged to respond to this solicitation solely or in collaboration with another organization.) It should soon be regarded as an international center for study both of brain function and polymath creativity.  Its research, publications, exhibits, media productions, and events should attract wide public attention and scholarship in related areas, and in time become the target of additional funding and grants in parallel fields.

Looking toward the future suggests countless issues related to human imagination that governments, non-profits, and industry must face and resolve.  Examples of a few such issues include:

• Reportedly, four Exabyte’s (1018) of information will be generated this year, more than any time in history.
•  Supercomputers will soon exceed the computational capacity of the human brain and the so-called Singularity or Age of Super Automation will occur.  Forty years on, it is suggested, computational capacity may well exceed that of the entire human species.
• Will the master be man or machine? How will human imagination and innovation respond, and how will human work be redefined in such a world? 

The Arthur Clarke Center can become a global meeting place to address such issues.  Along the way, it may become the route to identify the next version of tomorrow’s Arthur Clarke polymaths, wherever they reside.

CLARKE CENTER MANAGEMENT

The Foundation will expect the university to design and integrate curricula in support of the goals described here.  It will expect the university to provide academic, administrative and research facilities; locate faculty and visiting lecturers; accommodate student, faculty and visitor residence and dining; furnish appropriate communication and information technologies; assure local transportation; sponsor special and ceremonial events; and highlight the Clarke Center as an element of the university, throughout appropriate academic institutions and journals, and within the city and region wherein the university resides. 

The Foundation will require the formation of an International Advisory Committee to provide high-level advice in support of the Center’s goals.  Foundation Board members may serve on the Center’s Advisory Committee. The Foundation will expect formation by the university of a multidisciplinary task force established to open the Center on a schedule to be mutually determined.  It is also envisioned that in advance of the construction and establishment of the full-blown Center, the university will develop a ramp-up program in order to attract thinkers, students, and funding to the project.

The Foundation recognizes that student attendance at the Center will be students of the university. Equally, faculty and administrators will be university employees. Both will be subject to the standards and processes of the university.

REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR RESPONSE TO THIS REQUEST

Preliminary responses should be delivered both electronically and as hard copy by October 31, 2010.  By December 1, 2010, the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation will deliver either an acceptance or rejection of every qualified response for entry into the subsequent phase of the selection process (see Next Steps below). 

A first stage response of no more than 20 pages should indicate the university’s interest, and include an initial outline of the scope of Clarke Center operations either as a purpose-built facility or renovated building.  That initial outline should include people, facilities, research goals, public interface, and academic content.  Specific responses are desired rather than extensive and/or pre-published backgrounders on the university and its research programs.  The response should include and or describe the following as outlined in the following sections:

1. Name and location of the university and the designated academic leader/office, faculty and staff that will spearhead the Center’s overall development;
2. The proposed site or venue for the Center, including the University’s preliminary thinking on the construction of a purpose-built facility or the renovation of existing assets;
3. Proposed timeline of milestones toward initial creation of the Center, including the interim program and its outputs, such as the publication of early research, suitable for refereed journals in various fields as well as initial thoughts on a fund raising campaign and associated time;
4. Facilities to be used for the interim program, and their relation and proximity to each other and from central campus facilities;
5. Background on the university’s successful collaborations with other institutes, centers and programs of like size and multidisciplinary scope; and how it intends to affiliate other institutions to the Center for collaboration;
6. Medical or neuro-biological facilities, e.g. medical school/teaching hospital, at or near the university, with assurance that The Clarke Center faculty, administrators, and students will have access to such facilities;
7. Library facilities, performing arts theaters, museums, bibliographical databases and inter-library  resources that will support the investigation into and display of  human imagination;
8. Achievements of the university’s institutional advancement/development resources, public relations facilities and programs that can be supportive of the Center and its goals;
9. Preliminary cost estimates for the two to three years leading to the establishment of the Center, its programs and operations;
10. Finally, describe what unique assets/resources your University brings to the establishment of the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination.

TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS

Once the universities have been selected from this initial phase, the Foundation will conduct discussions with candidate universities in order to refine The Clarke Center RFP.  The RFP will be delivered to these qualified universities no later than February 1, 2011 with formal proposals due by April 30, 2011.  By May 31, the Foundation will select no more than three finalist institutions. Between May 15 and June 15, the level of dialogue will increase supported by phone, videoconference and visits to the university.  It is anticipated that each finalist university will either host the Foundation’s selection committee or meet in an agreed upon location for a presentation of their Center concepts.  The Foundation anticipates July 31, 2011 for its final decision and notification.  Note: the Foundation may chose to expedite this entire process or individual elements of the process depending on the number of submissions/candidates.