Educators' weekend on the Arts, Faith and Activism

A continuous professional development opportunity for educators is being offered in late June, to be held at the house of the Columban missionaries in Solihull, West Midlands.

Arts educators from Catholic schools will explore the intersecting worlds of the arts, education, faith, and action for justice. A mixture of group and individual work, including discussion, mini-lectures, prayer and reflection, analysis of political art, and developing art work ourselves. The aim is to think creatively and deeply, exploring the power of the arts, re-energising ourselves as artists and educators.

The days will include time with practicing arts activists, sharing their work and experience, and will be facilitated by Will Essilfie and James Trewby.

Will has years of experience managing education projects. He is an Education and Youth Advisor for an international non-governmental organisation, has worked for the arts organisation Apples & Snakes, and has conducted postgraduate research exploring social justice education through the arts.

James is the Columbans' Justice and Peace Education Worker, helping young people and educators explore the relationship between faith and action. Recent programmes have included exploring homelessness with Catholic educators visiting night shelters, the Columban 'Invitation to Mission' programme where groups go on learning visits to Chile and Pakistan, INSET training and school retreats.

The course takes place from Friday lunch until Sunday lunch, 30 June - 2 July.

It is aimed at

- Teachers of the arts in Catholic schools (Art & Design, Photography, Drama teachers, …)

- Other educators in Catholic schools with responsibility for arts, faith formation, Catholic ethos or engagement with charity/justice (e.g. Chaplains, pastoral leads)

The course takes place at St Columban's, Solihull - the main house of the Columban Missionaries in Britain.

Costs?

£150 per participant (includes food and accommodation as well as the programme - all costs have been subsidised). If you are interested in taking part non-residentially this may be possible - please get in touch.

For more information please contact James at education@columbans.co.uk asap.