In the field of non-formal education and youth work, artistic forms of expression are  significant for several reasons. Art has a huge potential for self-development and 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 more authentic way.

The project focuses on improving group learning processes by applying improvisational and artistic methods to welcome mistakes with a positive attitude, strengthen self-confidence and free 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.

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.

To achieve this we set up the following objectives:

– 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 artistic learning  as a 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.

The long-term training course includes 2 activities, one in Hungary (7- 14 May 2019), and one in the Netherlands (10 – 17 July 2019)