Convenings
Past Learning Exchange Reports:
Minneapolis, March 8–10, 2002
Andrea Assaf
2002
An Introduction to Open Space Technology
Kathy deNobriga, consultant: I want to talk about issues relating to open spaces and maybe plant a seed. Tomorrow you are supposed to spend a couple of hours talking about some things that came up today or things in general that you want to go more in depth into. If you want to propose an open space to dance or make art, you can do so. I want everyone to have their own needs met. What we’ll do tomorrow is that you’ll have a chance to propose ideas and we’ll have a bartering session. I want to take a few minutes to do the big picture stuff. I’ll ask the people who have done Open Space before to help me out. This is about trusting the wisdom experience, knowledge, talents that we all bring to the discussion. Think about what it is you have to give and what you want to get. There is one law, the law of mobility. If you feel bored or restless, only you have the power to change that; only you can act. There are two types of people: the bumblebee and the butterfly. The bee goes around listening to everyone talking, cross-pollenating ideas from one group to another. The butterfly goes to take a break, and more people do the same, but those people start talking together and meet in a way that was not on the schedule but is still legitimate.
Bill Cleveland, Center for Arts & Culture: It’s a time to bring forward those burning issues that you’ve been thinking of. One thing is, you do have to be present at your own session and make arrangements for documentation.
Q: Sometimes lack of facilitation makes for really loose, unproductive conversation.
Bill: That is where the law of two feet comes in. Take responsibility for your own idea. Be respectful and keep it safe.
Key Points and Report-Backs
The following summaries of Open Space sessions are a combination of key points, notable quotes, and report-backs shared with the entire convening. The amount and type of information for each session varies, depending on notes available.
Topics included:
- Of what use is an artistically animated democracy?
- Civic Space: What is it? How do you find it? How do you create it?
- Artistic Control and Community Engagement
- Beyond preaching to the converted: How do we get others to engage? / Partnering with Large Institutions
- Icebreakers: Working with people who don’t consider themselves artists
- Success Stories and Train Wrecks
- What is the place of ritual in arts-based civic dialogue?
