Creative Instigation - by Fern Tiger

Book Synopsis

Exploring creative responses to community challenges

Creative Instigation is a collection of in-depth case stories focused on effective and innovative community engagement and policymaking in diverse cities across the western U.S. Each story reflects the history and uniqueness of the community, organization, or institution--providing grit to the importance of context to understand the why and the how of this work. It includes the successes and challenges, and the efforts needed to do this work well. Unlike "typical engagement," where meetings are announced via limited venues with limited information, Creative Instigation describes engagement that is authentic, outreach that is expansive, and research that uncovers the soul of a community. No two approaches are alike.

This book is for those most likely to be responsible for community engagement work--city staff and elected leadership, community developers and nonprofit workers, architecture and planning students, scholars, and community activists, as well as people who care about their own community and the future of their city. The in-depth stories of multi-year efforts by organizations, institutions, and communities, working differently, and at times at cross purposes describe the unique, transdisciplinary skills required to bring these sectors together to solve shared problems.

Review Quotes

"

Fern Tiger's concept of creative instigation opens doors for effective community engagement
that honors the voices of those often omitted from public policy conversations. Through case
studies, she provides principles and lessons while simultaneously recognizing the importance of
specific contexts.

"-- "Theresa Cordova, Director Great Cities Institute, University of Illinois Chicago"

"

Reading this book is like sitting at the campfire of a long-time leader and listening to the stories
she has to tell. Fern Tiger is a master of how behind-the-scenes leadership can successfully
involve communities in key public policy matters, often finding an unexpected way to bring wins
to more than one side.

"-- "Jan Masaoka, California Association of Nonprofits"

"

The insights offered by Fern Tiger in Creative Instigation, drawn from years of practicing and
honing her comprehensive process, offer a treasure trove of guidance and inspiration on bringing
people together to have conversations that empower them while also making a positive
difference in their lives. The chameleonlike nature of Tiger's process truly distinguishes it from
standard run-of-the-mill participation, and ensures engagement is inclusive and enjoyable,
honors all who participate, and ultimately taps into a collective well of wisdom that transforms
problems into a range of possibilities for enriching places and communities.

"-- "Nan B. Ellin, Professor of Urban Design, University of Colorado Denver"

"

Through in-depth, real-world examples of democratizing actions, Tiger shows how
communities long frustrated by institutional exclusions, systemic oppressions, and the politics of
capitalism can lead to what she frames as "authentic engagement." Creative Instigation re-frames
art as movement-building and should be required reading for everyone concerned with
community organizing, leadership building, and addressing systemic injustices.

"-- "Christopher B. Knaus, Professor, University of Washington Tacoma and University of South Africa"

"

To every person who is desperate to know how to bring on the changes we all know we need,
Fern Tiger's book is a great gift. Creative Instigation gives us the inspired guidance to figure out
how to begin--and how to follow through. Creative Instigation is a real kick start for those who
long to make a difference in their communities. Thank you, Fern Tiger!

"-- "Gary A. Patton, Former Supervisor, Santa Cruz County"

"Fern Tiger's powerful prowess in what she aptly calls "creative instigation" led our statewide education nonprofit to transcend the linear, predictable path to strategic visioning. I am excited to see others bear witness to the impact of Tiger's approach, and through this book, begin to practice the "art" of this disruptive strategic engagement."-- "LK Monroe, Former President, California County Superintendents"

"If you're lucky, you might get to hang out with a fellow community activist one evening in a bar or on a long drive. That's when you learn the real nitty-gritty details of how they pulled off one or two of their projects. Fern Tiger's book gives you all that insight and more, with nuance and a thoroughness that reveal the hard-won lessons within."-- "Steve Lambert, artist, Professor of New Media, SUNY Purchase"

"Tiger is unrelenting in making sure her frames for engagement are both precise and encourage the unpredictable, based on the existing physical, social, and political contexts. She situates this model in her own creative training, where the boundaries are not predetermined. The case studies are rich, loaded with detail, and Tiger spends as much time on successes as setbacks. Tiger's step-by-step descriptions help us understand the passions of people committed to their neighborhoods. Her observations underpinned malleable planning, responding, then prompting, and finally laying the stage for unpredictable AND appropriate results. The book is a testament to a true commitment to meaningful participatory practice. Depending on the situation, the communities have in their hands some, if not all, methodologies for the future, new and enduring partnerships, plans for realization, and the implementation itself."-- "Frances Bronet, President, Pratt Institute, New York"

About the Author

Fern Tiger, founder and creative director of Fern Tiger Associates in Oakland, CA, has designed and facilitated scores of projects throughout the U.S. that have engaged communities, organizations, institutions, and public agencies in solving controversial issues and overcoming power gaps in strategic, innovative, and meaningful ways. Her transdisciplinary approaches to this work combine the creative, intuitive tools of the artist/designer with the practical, systemic tools of urban planners, the discipline of academic researchers, and the inspiration of community organizers and activists. Tiger has taught at several universities and most recently held professorships at Arizona State University, and University of Washington Tacoma.

Community Planning; and former Professor of Practice, College of Public Programs, Arizona State University.