about MUSE starting a MUSE managing a MUSE MUSE meeting format

Feel free to copy/paste this text to help you facilitate your MUSE meetings. If you would prefer another MUSE participant mediate, make this text available to him or her.

4-4:20 Arrival and casual networking.

4:20-5 Open discussion.

"Welcome to MUSE 1. (Introduce myself.)

MUSE is a discussion/networking group open to all creatives--a time when creatives can dialogue about similar processes, challenges, and goals regardless of the type of work you or hope to do. This is also a time to network--to exchange resources and knowledge.

MUSE participants dialogue about, for example: "What is the significance of creativity?" "How do I better fit creativity into my life? How do I make more space or time for my work? How do I organize my work?" "How do I make creativity my lifestyle?" "How do I get started?" "This is what I have done so far, what do I do next?" "How do I stay motivated? Inspired? Focused?" "Where should I look for a specific resource?" "How do I raise money for my work?" "How do I promote my work? Reach people?" Then let's brainstorm, give suggestions, someone in the group may be experiencing something similar--another may have figured something out. MUSE participants can also present to the group: articles, quotes, book titles, excerpts, resources, etc. which have been helpful or may spark conversation. They can be read aloud and/or given as a handout. If these things don't spark conversation, that's alright! Sometimes a contribution just needs to be heard.

If you don't get the chance to pose a question or present, feel free to e-mail participants. Also, e-mail participants to advertise your events. And, bring brochures, flyers, postcards to these MUSE meetings. Lastly, let me know if you would like to present something more extensive--a resource, your own work.

This month we have [ Guest Creative's name ]. Give brief bio. [ Guest Creative's name ] will talk about his/her creative process: fitting creativity into life or making it lifestyle.

Before open discussion begins, let's go around the room and briefly introduce ourselves. Say your name, where you live, and if you want, briefly, your creative focus, foci, or what you would like to be doing creatively." (After introductions) As MUSE has a flexible format, if dialogue dwindles, we can begin early with the Guest Creative."

Triggers:
What are you working on, what have you completed, what do you wish you were working on?
Does anyone have any comments, observations, questions about:
being/staying motivated?
being/staying inspired?
starting or ending a project?
the middle of a project?
finding or organizing time to work?
finding or organizing space to work?
administration? finding and contacting resourses, marketing, fund raising?
how, when, where, why you work?
creativity itself? Why, where, when, and/or how is creativity important?
the state of the arts and other forms of creativity?
How does the context of the world affect your work product and or work process?

5-5:30 Guest creative (Introduce)

5:30-6 Guest creative questions and more open discussion.

Questions for Guest Creative (if participants don't have any):
How and when did you decide creativity would be a focus in your life?
What interests came first?
Could you talk about how your different processes are similar or different?
How do you balance your creativity with other aspects of your life?

Closing notes:
The $2 donation per MUSE meeting goes toward the lease of this space. Give date of next MUSE.

about MUSE starting a MUSE managing a MUSE MUSE meeting format