A few months back we gleefully announced the expansion of GOOD Ideas for Cities, where we tap creative problem solvers to tackle real urban challenges and present the solutions at live events across the country. Thanks to our partnership with the urban think tank CEOs for Cities, and this generous grant from ArtPlace, we're able to take the program to five mid-sized cities in 2012. And we're thrilled to announce those first two cities today:

Portland, Oregon

Thursday, February 16 at Ziba

Hosted by Portland State University Graphic Design Department

St. Louis, Missouri

Thursday, March 8 at the Contemporary Art Museum

Hosted by HOK

More details will be posted soon about each of the specific events and how anyone can attend, but right now we're looking for local creative teams in Portland and St. Louis who want to participate. Selected teams will be paired with a challenge issued by a local urban leader, and work with that leader to create a potential solution. The teams will present their solution at the event in front of a live audience, and then engage in a discussion with their urban leader and GOOD Ideas for Cities editor Alissa Walker. If you want to get a better idea of how this works, you can watch a video of our most recent event in San Francisco, see some solutions from our Los Angeles event, or read recaps of the events from the last three years.

If you're a creative in either of these cities, you can apply to be a part of the event below.

Apply here for the Portland event. Deadline is December 14.

Apply here for the St. Louis event. Deadline is January 5.

We'll be announcing the participating creatives along with the urban leaders and challenges, and all information about how to register for the events shortly after the deadlines.

We're looking forward to the next year of GOOD Ideas for Cities and we hope to see you at an upcoming event! Please get in touch if you'd like to talk about bringing the program to your city by emailing alissa[at]goodinc[dot]com or follow us at @IdeasforCities