Key Points for Organizing and Running a Critique Group
1. Group size +/- 6.
2. Composition: compatible (or at least civil) personalities.
3. Skill level: On a scale of 10, try for range that isn't too wide. For example, not more than 2 levels from lowest to highest (4-6), (5-7) etc.
4. Standard meeting time (last Tuesday of the month, 1:30 - 3:30+/-.) Meetings can be more than once a month if desired, but probably two meetings per month would be max to start. Our group meets once a month with a summer break.
5. Meeting place to be arranged on a rotating basis by each member. Can be at a member's home (our way) or whatever works best.
6. Each participant brings 2-3 works, preferably, but not necessarily current stuff to be critiqued.
7. Draw numbers for sequence of each person showing work to the group.
8. When critiquing, be fair and be polite. Compliments are just as important as criticisms. Not all attendees are required to comment on all works. If you have something to say, say it. If not, don't. There should be no unspoken group pressure to extract comments that would not otherwise freely given.
9. The person whose work is being reviewed should feel free to provide a brief introduction to set up the piece for the group (perhaps a few sentences at most). Objectives strived for (mood, color drama, action,) problems encountered and perhaps still unresolved are examples.
10. Depending on the size of the entire group, there may be a desire for members to rotate among the smaller critique groups. For example, after each critique group of, say, six persons is established, on a periodic basis (monthly? quarterly?) one person from each of the small groups rotates to one of the other small groups --draw straws, volunteer to switch ... whatever seems to be suitable. This may be too complicated at the beginning, and perhaps could be kept in mind for Phase 2, if it comes about.
Bud Markos
Bud Markos Studio
2045 Wrangler Way
Grand Junction, CO 81507
Phone: 970-263-8200
budmarkos@bresnan.net
www.budmarkos.com