The Smithsonian's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation is creating its seventh Innoskate festival at Here East to complement the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) Olympic Qualifying event at the Copperbox Arena.
Innoskate public festivals bring skateboarders and non-skate audiences together to appreciate that creativity, invention, and innovation are all around us and found in unexpected places. Through informal panel discussions, hands-on educational activities, learn-to-skate clinics, public skating, and a best-trick contest, Innoskate participants use skateboarding as an interdisciplinary lens for exploring the intersection of history, invention, and innovation with science, technology, engineering, art, music, and culture. The Innoskate team is excited to inspire young audiences with a particular emphasis on engaging the youth of East London to be active contributors to their society driven by technological change, invention, and innovation.
Themes and featured speakers for the Innoskate London program will focus on four critical elements of skate culture: 1) the history of skateboarding and the evolution of skateboard technologies; 2) the relationship between skaters, the terrain they navigate, and architects, designers, city planners, and policymakers; 3) the critical role of diversity, adaptability, and inclusion in skate culture; and 4) the legacy of the Olympic games in East London and the worldwide impact of skateboarding's inclusion as an Olympic sport. Featured presenters include Miki Vuckovich, Executive Director of the Tony Hawk Foundation, Josh Friedberg, CEO, USA Skateboarding and Stuart Maclure, Long Live Southbank.
Friday, May 24 7:30pm-9pm: Innoskate 360: The Evolution of Skateboarding, Sport, and Culture
An evening featuring skate community leaders, policy makers, urban designers, and sport industry executives exploring the distinct ethos and culture of skateboarding as it prepares for its Olympic debut and introduction to new global audiences. Spaces are limited, please book your place via Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 25 10am-5:45pm: Innoskate Festival
10:00am: Open Skating / Innoskate Education Design Studio Open
10:30am-11:00am: Panel 1: 60 Years of Skateboard Innovation and Invention
11:15am-11:45am: Panel 2: Skating Spaces: Skateboarding and Evolving Conceptions of Public Space
12:00pm-3:30pm: Open Skating / Innoskate Education Design Studio / Beginner Skateboarding Instruction
3:45pm-4:15pm: Panel 3: When Culture Meets Sport: Skateboarding and the Olympic Movement
4:30pm-5:00pm: Panel 4: Innovation driving Accessibility: Adaptive Skateboarding and the road to the Paralympics
5:20pm: Best Trick Contest (open to skaters with a signed waiver)
5:45pm: Closing Remarks
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This event is in the Yard
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