Poetry in Business + The Museum of Ideas
Technisches Gewerbemuseum Ideas for Our Future
How do you suppose we improve our situation for humanity today?
Let's start with a simple solution that you and your teammates can activate together in your school or community.
"What can we improve at our school so that students of tomorrow will enjoy it?"
What is your best idea?
Students at Technisches Gewerbemuseum (TGM), a vocational school based in Vienna, Austria, were asked this question during a workshop led by Christina Merl, founder of Poetry in Business; Natascha Ehrenberger, teacher at TGM; and (virtually) Shannon Mullen O'Keefe, founder and chief curator of The Museum of Ideas.
The students were invited to suggest one sound idea that will make a positive difference for all of us; that will improve our situation for humanity. The catch? The idea needed to be something that they could do together in their school or community.
Another constraint? The students only had the brief time offered in the workshop to craft their entire submission.
The Museum of Ideas is showcasing the ideas the students created during their workshop on April 21, 2025, in this gallery of ideas for our future.
As these students remind us, sometimes the idea we activate in our local community or even our local school (our immediate environment, something as simple as the cafeteria where we eat lunch together every day) is the best first step toward creating our brightest future together.
With gratitude to the student "artists" for their inspiring ideas and creative contributions.
We invite you to peruse the gallery of their ideas and then listen to their brief "Portrait of an Idea."
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Lazar Bisenic, Simon Chladek, Lea Staudinger, Julian Stoll
Title: Greener Together, 23.04.2025
Medium: Parts made with ChatGPT+
Artist Statement:
We brought together two of our core ideas: creating local coffee and study spots for students, and introducing more green zones within our school environment. These ideas complement each other perfectly, as both aim to improve the overall student experience. The picture at the bottom we’ve included shows the current cafeteria in our school, which features just a single plant. While this space serves its basic function, we believe it could be transformed into something much more inviting and beneficial for everyone.
In our vision, this area could evolve into a cozy, plant-filled café that promotes collaboration and connection among students. Imagine sitting among lush greenery, sipping coffee, and working on assignments with friends in a calm and refreshing atmosphere. Such an environment would encourage students to network, study, and unwind in a more enjoyable setting.
Martin, Fatlind, Maya
Title: Healthy Food, 2025
Artist Statement:
Being a student at a higher technical school means long hours and the need for a lot of energy. To fuel us for those long, exhausting school days, we need food. There are a few grocery stores and fast-food shops around our school, as well as a cafeteria in one of our buildings. Unfortunately, there are no options to eat healthy food for a little money. That’s what we want to change! We want our cafeteria in school to offer nutritious and beneficial meals, for a price students can afford. Instead of having to rely on McDonalds, or 'fast food options' to power us through the day, we see a future in which in-school food is provided with a student’s health in mind. This will help us students to be more energetic and to get our work done during school hours.
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Mattheo Mayer, Benjamin Popecu, Franz Puerto
Title: Classrooms of Tomorrow, 23.04.2025
Medium: Adobe Photoshop OpenAI DALL-E
Artist Statement:
This split-image artwork contrasts two stark realities of education: the rigid, high-pressure classrooms of the past, and the inspiring, student-centered environments we envision for the future.
On the right, we see a crowded, stressful classroom where students sit in fear, overwhelmed by strict rules and outdated teaching methods. This setting represents the challenges many learners still face: lack of emotional support, creativity, and space for individual growth.
On the left, we imagine the school of tomorrow—bright, open, and green. A place where students collaborate freely, guided by teachers in modern, tech-enhanced classrooms that blend with nature. It’s a vision rooted in well-being, innovation, and joy in learning.
Message: To transform education, we must shift from fear-based systems to nurturing environments. Let’s replace pressure with curiosity, isolation with connection, and rigid rules with freedom to grow. The classroom of tomorrow begins with the choices we make today.
Mattheo Mayer, Benjamin Popecu, Franz Puerto
Title: Green-Classroom, 2025
Medium:
Artist Statement:
As a group of artists, our collective vision for this piece was to imagine the future of education as a space where sustainability and technology go hand in hand. We wanted to challenge the conventional image of classrooms by creating an environment that is not only functional but also alive, inspiring, and deeply connected to nature. The greenery flowing from the ceiling, climbing the walls, and positioned throughout the room represents a symbol of growth, balance, and the vital connection between students and the natural world.
At the same time, we integrated modern technology—tablets, laptops, interactive screens—to show how important it is to keep investing in digital tools that empower both teachers and students. In our vision, technology is not a distraction but a bridge to deeper understanding, collaboration, and creativity. By blending it seamlessly into the green surroundings, we hope to convey that progress and sustainability are not opposing forces—they can, and must, coexist.
Get to Know Us
Poetry in Business
We bring art and future skills to organisations, leaders, teams, and individuals across cultures and disciplines. With the 2CG® multi-method approach, we help you unlock your full creative potential and accelerate transformation processes - so that you effect real change.
Technisches Gewerbemuseum
Is a higher technical teaching and research institute with over 130 years of tradition in pioneering engineering education.
The school offers a wide range of training courses and internationally recognized certificates. Graduates work in a wide variety of business sectors. The school aims to convey the joy of learning and prepare students for lifelong learning and supports fostering curiosity and courage, "because they lead us to new paths and future-oriented skills." They pursue a holistic and networked concept of education that integrates reflection and language skills, intercultural and social competence while strengthening interest in art & culture.
The Museum of Ideas
The Museum of Ideas aims to showcase thought-provoking concepts, creative innovations, and sound ideas that might help to shape our human progress. Our vision is to create a place where (human) thinkers and creators–of all types–can explore emerging thought and find the projects, products and services that complement that. To do this we display art, artifacts, ideas, and offer tools and experiences that inspire creativity, problem-solving, and new ways of thinking.
With Gratitude to Project Sponsors
