The purpose of group norms are to create shared expectations that could revolve around values or behaviors that enables a safe and productive space for participant engagement. Making a list of group norms for the conversation also helps the facilitator to redirect the conversation when needed.

Ask for clarification of norms from participants if needed. Also explicitly ask the group if there is anything missing and whether or not they agree to the group norms before proceeding. Everyone's ideas counts and is valuable to the overall progress and success of the conversation.

Once you have finished recording the list of group norms, place the list in a visible area to serve as a constant reminder for participants that they agreed to those terms.

Materials needed:

• large piece of paper

• marker

This method is commonly used to encourage participation from everyone and gather a large amount of information, especially with a broad and amiguous topic like the creative economy.

Think: Participants are given a few minutes with a prompt to brainstorm individually.

Pair: Participants pair up and share and discuss ideas with each other.

Share: Participants share out to the larger group for a large group discussion.

Materials needed:

• scratch paper for participants

• pens/pencils

Additional resources: (links)

Matrices are a helpful structure to organize information. A matrix is used in this activity to help participants to reflect on what constitutes a creative economy as well as its boundaries based on concepts from NEFA's and UN's creative economy model. The "creative core" is considered the highest level of creativity and functions closest the creative economy. Whereas, the "non-creative peripheral represents industries/occupations that are perceived as less creative and functions furthest away from the creative economy.

Have participants in small groups list industries/occupations onto sticky notes for each category to be placed into the matrix before sharing out to the larger group. The facilitator should prepare the matrix on a large sheet of paper or whiteboard to record answers for the large group discussion.

Material needed:

• sticky notes

• pencils/pen

This activity will facilitate a shared definition and choice of occupations and businesses that can be considered "Creative" for Duluth specifically.

Steps:

• Divide the participants into groups, and draw frames on the board. Each group will be assigned one frame.

• Distribute Sticky Notes to each participant, and in 2 minutes, let each think of every occupation/business that comes to their mind. Let them write each on 1 sticky note and as quickly as they can.

• After the 2 minute mark, let them gather as a group infront of the frame. In their group, they will decide on each sticky note to be inside, outside or ON the frame.

  • • • Inside the frame: the whole group agrees that this is a creative occupation/business

      • Outside the frame: Most of the group disagrees that this is a creative occupation/business

      • On the frame: The group had a discussion for more than 2 minutes and can't reach a decision, and they need to move on.

• Come as a bigger group and dicuss findings, similarities and differences.