So many people we meet are interested to know more about our facilitated Creative Exchange groups. Some are keen to take part in one of our groups, while others have friends in mind that might like to form a group together, but one thing we hear a lot is people saying they couldn’t run their own group. They don’t think they have the time or the skills.
In Creative Exchange: An accountability workbook for artists, we set out the approach we have taken to forming and leading our groups so that you’ll find it easier. We share the problems we’ve encountered and how we have managed them, as well as the things that have worked really well for us. We also discuss how to find people for a group if you don’t already have participants in mind.
Over the years that we have been running Creative Exchange groups, we have tried lots of different approaches, looking for what has worked just right for us. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but by sharing our experiences, hopefully you can find a way that would work for you.
One of our suggestions is to have two people share the leadership role. Niccy and I have found lots of benefits in doing this. The main time commitments for all participants of a Creative Exchange group are the workbook activities and the meetings themselves, but as a leader, you might also spend some time before you start, considering how you want your group to run, who to include and where you will meet.
We’ve found it useful to set our meeting dates for the whole year so everyone can plan around them. You might also decide to share the hosting and facilitation roles for each meeting amongst your group members. This shifts the load a bit for everyone, and adds to the feeling of investment in your creative community.
As a facilitated accountability group, Creative Exchange provides a space for everyone to be heard – having a designated facilitator supports this. Becoming a facilitator needn’t be too scary – it can be as simple as keeping an eye on the time and the conversations on topic, so that sharing is relevant and equitable.
So, if you think you might be up to the challenge of starting your own Creative Exchange, take some time to read Part One of our book first – you’ll find it a valuable step in building your creative community! Niccy and I are also ready to support you as you take the first steps – just get in touch if you’d like some advice.