Convening Model
This Convening Model was developed in 2007-2008 to help communities organize for cultural equity.
- In order to bring a national context to each convening, at least two people from the Voices core group of national organizers are present as co-conveners.
- Local sponsors are encouraged to name one pressing community issue that the convening can actively support and, as part of the convening activities, to present artists addressing the identified issue.
Preparation for the convening begins with the organizers studying and elaborating on the economic analysis featured on this site. The analysis will be used to help frame the conversation that will explore, in a nuanced and realistic way, the barriers experienced by participants to achieving cultural equity. - Convening activities are conducted in a circle, in a space where the acoustics are good.
- After the economic hypothesis is explained, each person in the circle introduces his or herself with a snapshot of how free-market capitalism is affecting, for good or ill, their community. Based on this information, participants then interrogate and develop the economic hypothesis based on their collective experience.
- Once the hypothesis of hyper-capitalism has been explored, participants use it as a jumping off point to discuss the barriers to and opportunities for advancing cultural equity. This conversation has been effectively facilitated by one or two people in a forum format, with the facilitator(s) helping the group clarify its thinking and imagine actions.
Before concluding, participants agree to next steps and identify local and national organizers.
Time required
For twenty-five participants, at least four hours, with an additional hour for each increment of twenty participants. Sessions have been effectively spread over two days, with no more than a third new participants welcome on Day Two. Time is roughly divided equally between the economic analysis (which includes a round of participants introducing themselves with an "economic snapshot") and the forum on the barriers to and opportunities for advancing cultural equity.