Jonathan “Courageous” Clark's Big Idea: Art and Science Can Answer The World's Toughest Questions

Jonathan “Courageous” Clark is this week’s Big Ideas Welcome podcast guest. Jonathan’s Big Idea: Art and Science can answer the world's toughest questions. 

Multidisciplinary Artist, Activist and CEO/Founder of ART.Official Intelligence, Jonathan Clark, also known as “Courageous,” currently serves as a member of the Knoxville Mayor’s Maker City Council, a board member of the Network of Ensemble Theaters and The Waymakers Collective, and formerly as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Alternate ROOTS.

Jonathan shares a poem about The Maker City, and the artistic process of making "something out of nothing". He then talks about his journey into artistic entrepreneurship through programs like Co.Starters and 100 Knoxville. These programs, and the people he met along the way, helped him realize his desire to build his own company, Art.Official Intelligence, and he has a big mission: to foster empathy and overcome bias by blending creative art and psychological science. Now working with organizations like The University of Tennessee College of Nursing, Jonathan continues to change mindsets (including his own), begin new conversations, and open up new environments. 

Jonathan is a native son of Knoxville, TN and Alumnus of the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, whose professional performance career began at the age of thirteen with The Carpetbag Theatre’s T.R.Y. Youth Theatre Ensemble and he’s remained a working performance artist ever since; traveling the country performing original poetry, acting, facilitating DEI workshops and immersing himself in as much culture as the United States has to offer. Courageous is a Spoken Word Poet, Writer, Playwright, Director, Event Host, Actor, Digital Storyteller/Listener, Teaching Artist, Baker and Dad Joke Connoisseur.

Find out more about Jonathan: Instagram | LinkedIn | #madeforknoxville

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#MadeforKnoxville Website
Chris McAdoo: Instagram | LinkedIn | Website

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Listen to all episodes of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast, available now on your favorite streaming platforms, YouTube, and at bigideaswelcome.com.

This Big Ideas Welcome podcast is brought to you by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, hosted and curated by KEC Chief Experience Officer Chris McAdoo, and produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

A special thanks to K BREW for making this episode possible.

Original theme music “Thinking of You” courtesy of and copyright Kelsi Walker.