CONTEXT

The project addresses the question of the power of non-formal learning. In formal educational settings, young people are required to focus on their performance. They are afraid of making mistakes, which generates and increases inner anxiety and blocks their creativity.

In the field of non-formal education and youth work, artistic forms of expression are thus significant for several reasons. Art has a huge potential for self-development, different artistic methods are powerful in self-exploration and self-discovery. They support us to connect with ourselves and with others. When we create, we express more than we are aware of. It is about our inner world, our inner child that very often is forgotten because of social and cultural constructs.

Artistic methods are very useful tools to work with various topics and different target groups and have the potential to create an environment that is joyful, playful and safe for improvisation and learning. We can explore, learn and experience in a not formalised, restricted way that will open a different image of arts that is not academic but more authentic, that connect us to our self and touches from the heart.

The project focuses on improving group learning processes applying improvisational and artistic methods by welcoming mistakes with a positive attitude, strengthening self-confidence and freeing creativity. Holistic approach to learning will be used combining different elements of arts such as movement, drawing, music, visuals, and theatre. We will have the opportunity to work with our inner dancer, painter, musician, performer and storyteller.

AIM

The  aim of  this long-term  training course  is to empower those who  work with groups of young  people to be confident and free  in experiencing and using improvisational  and artistic methods as a tool for personal  and professional development in youth

work, training  and facilitation. Introducing and combining improvisation with artistic methods  as an innovative non-formal learning method will contribute to the quality  and improvement of youth work.

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT?

• to  rediscover  improvisation  skills of youth  workers/educators/trainers  through artistic methods (theatre, dance,  music, painting)
• to  learn and  experience how  to use artistic  methods while working  with young people to improve and foster  self-confidence and release their creativity
• to  reflect  on their  own learning  as youth worker  through the experience  of artistic methods (connection  to the inner artist)
• to  create  a space  for the participants  to design, implement and  evaluate experimental learning activities
• to  create  a network  for sustainability  of the idea by cooperating  and creating new projects
  

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

This training is for you if you…

• are a youth worker, youth leader, member or volunteer of youth organization
• are a teacher, educator with/ without formal education backgroung, youth trainer, mentor
• work with youngsters on local, national or/and international level
• are eager to learn something new, contribute with your experience and knowledge
• are playful, active and simply believe in the power of non-formal education

This long-term TC is for you if you want to improve group learning processes by applying improvisational and artistic methods.

TIME AND VENUES:

7-14 May 2019, Hollókő, Hungary

10-17 July 2019, Ommen, Netherlands