Creative Instigation

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.

"The insights offered by Fern Tiger in Creative Instigation, drawn from years of practicing andhoning her comprehensive process, offer a treasure trove of guidance and inspiration on bringingpeople together to have conversations that empower them while also making a positivedifference in their lives. The chameleonlike nature of Tiger's process truly distinguishes it fromstandard 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 transformsproblems into a range of possibilities for enriching places and communities." (Nan B. Ellin, Professor of Urban Design, University of Colorado Denver) "Reading this book is like sitting at the campfire of a long-time leader and listening to the storiesshe has to tell. Fern Tiger is a master of how behind-the-scenes leadership can successfullyinvolve communities in key public policy matters, often finding an unexpected way to bring winsto more than one side." (Jan Masaoka, California Association of Nonprofits) "Through in-depth, real-world examples of democratizing actions, Tiger shows howcommunities long frustrated by institutional exclusions, systemic oppressions, and the politics ofcapitalism can lead to what she frames as "authentic engagement." Creative Instigation re-framesart as movement-building and should be required reading for everyone concerned withcommunity organizing, leadership building, and addressing systemic injustices." (Christopher B. Knaus, Professor, University of Washington Tacoma and University of South Africa) "Fern Tiger's concept of creative instigation opens doors for effective community engagementthat honors the voices of those often omitted from public policy conversations. Through casestudies, she provides principles and lessons while simultaneously recognizing the importance ofspecific contexts." (Theresa Cordova, Director Great Cities Institute, University of Illinois Chicago) "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 outhow to begin—and how to follow through. Creative Instigation is a real kick start for those wholong 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)