Open Dialogue

Dialogue Archive

• Media Arts in Movement Building: November 10, 2012
• WILD CARD!: Southern States: October 27
• Distribution: September 29
• Policy: August 18
• Youth Media: July 21
• Exhibition: June 16
• Community Media Centers: May 19
• Artist Services: April 28
• Media Distribution: March 31
• Media Policy: February 17
• Youth Media: January 20, 2011
• Media Arts Exhibition, November 17, 2010
   

What is NAMAC Open Dialogue?

At the 2009 NAMAC conference in Boston, NAMAC held a series of sessions inspired by a meeting format called Open Space Technology. The session topics were proposed by the attendees rather than programmed by NAMAC. This format was refreshing, as it guaranteed that the content was relevant to those who were present, which increased the session’s meaningfulness. As one of NAMAC’s core strengths is to bring members together to share information and make connections, we are extending this work from the conference into an online format called NAMAC Open Dialogue.

Through Open Dialogue, NAMAC facilitates member interaction using online tools. Open Dialogue  mimics the Open Space-inspired conference sessions since the participants will generate the topics. It also mimics the real-time nature of those session by utilizing a live chat online tool. The chat is also  embedded here on the NAMAC site, where the general public can observe the discussion as it’s happening, and even submit questions and comments (the chat moderator will decide which comments, if any, to allow into the chat). The general public may also send questions and comments via Twitter and Facebook.
 

What Are the Objectives?

• Participants will learn from colleagues who are as committed to their issues as they are.
• Participants will be inspired to improve their organizations based on insights gained in the dialogue.
• Participants will be empowered by identifying and working through the most critical issues of the group.
• Participants will develop and reinforce peer relationships.
• Participants will contribute to the critical, national discourse of current issues in media arts.
   

How does NAMAC’s Open Dialogue Work?

Each Open Dialogue is comprised of three parts:
 
Part 1: The Invitation
NAMAC invites all of its members to register when a new Open Dialogue is scheduled. Those who are registered will be sent confirmation, information on how to participate, and the links necessary to participate in Steps 2 and 3.

Part 2: Idea Generation
Using the online idea-generation tool All Our Ideas, NAMAC will pose a focusing question (i.e., “what are your most pressing questions about [fill in the blank] that you would like to discuss?”) and invite the members to add topics and to vote on topics for 48 hours.

Part 3: The Open Dialogue Chat
All participants enter the Open Dialogue Chat (using Cover It Live) by following instructions we provide when they register. Also present is a NAMAC Open Dialogue host and a NAMAC technical support/comments moderator. For 60 minutes participants engage in a live chat guided by the highest rated topics as determined by the group. The moderator will introduce the topics. The general public may add comments and questions, which will be added to the discussion at the discretion of the moderator. The chat is immediately archived here.
 

Who Is this For?

• Any NAMAC member who cares about the topic.
• Secondarily, any member of the public who cares about the topic who may observe the dialogue online and possibly even contribute comments/questions.