HATCH made its debut in Asheville three years ago, as a sister to the original festival in Bozeman, Mont. Today organizers announced the festival will continue in Bozeman, but will skip Asheville this year.
Full details:
“HATCH Asheville enters a chrysalis phase:
Over the past three years, the local non-profit HATCH has hosted creative gatherings and networking events, growing steadily since its inception and drawing progressive thinkers to Asheville each year. (For more information, visit http://hatchexperience.org)
Many in the creative community established meaningful connections through their involvement with HATCH, and many of the most inspired claimed that ‘you get out of HATCH what you give — and more.’ To that end, HATCH boasted nearly 100 active participants each year, a group that included community artists, creative entrepreneurs, volunteers, discipline leaders and board members, many of whom returned every year to give of their time and energy.
The pioneer HATCH organizers are located in Bozeman, Mont., where they hold their own yearly HATCHfest event. The core team behind HATCH Asheville has worked closely with the Bozeman group to search for ways to refine and strengthen the HATCH concept, its impact, operations and sustainability.
After multiple meetings with the founders, we’ve come to the conclusion that the current HATCH model works best for a town like Bozeman — and the founders, rightfully, wish that not to change. After several months of hard work and internal development, the HATCH board of directors decided to let go of the relationship with HATCH. Asheville is a city undergoing a creative explosion and is due for its own event concept, more tailor-made for our growing status as a global center for innovation and creativity.
What does this mean?
Though the original HATCH Asheville founders and leadership team remain truly inspired by HATCH, and will continue to support and work with HATCH Bozeman, there will not be a HATCH Experience in Asheville in April 2012.
‘I think it is important that this is perceived as a step forward,’ says HATCH Asheville co-founder Sean O’Connell. ‘There are numerous idea events around the country. Many of the HATCH volunteers are already tossing around concepts for a new creative summit.’
Current HATCH Asheville board chair, Craig McAnsh added that ‘HATCH has already inspired a community wide discussion about Asheville’s rapid growth at the intersection of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. We are excited to see what new ideas erupt here.’”
Here’s a video about HATCH:
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