1. Obtain a shared understanding of what is a creative economy.

2. Co-create a creative economy framework for Duluth.

What is the creative economy in Duluth?

1. A visual representation of Duluth’s creative economy framework

2. A list of exemplars in Duluth's creative economy

Divergence Convergence Model (Art of Hosting)

This model guides the flow of the first day of the community conversation. The reason why this model was chosen for the facilitation concept is because it represents the process of how the conversation will unfold from beginning to the end.

In the beginning, ideas are gathered from participants on what a creative economy means to them (divergence phase). As a group, a diverse base of knowledge and experiences are shared without judgment towards what is right and what is wrong.

In the middle (emergence phase or the groan zone), the facilitator is asking participants to discuss what constitutes a creative economy. This is where disagreements or frustrations could occur as the group tries to build connections, make sense of, integrate, or narrow down ideas, and agree on standards or boundaries of Duluth's creative economy.

Once there is general consensus on a creative economy framework (convergence phase), participants are asked to brainstorm and identify examples of businesses in Duluth's creative economy, as a result of the collective progress. At this stage, the group should have a shared grounding on Duluth's creative economy framework which enables them to be able make a decision on creative economy exemplars.

More information on the Divergence Convergence Model could be found in the Art of Hosting Workbook here.