EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ART
The course systematizes and presents—in an engaging, enjoyable, and useful way—the extensive experience of the "Values, Virtues, Integrity" Foundation (VVIF) in activating and empowering social groups through various forms of visual, applied, and performing arts. It is suitable for individuals of various ages, teachers and other educational staff, art facilitators and art therapists, youth and social workers, civic activists, adult educators, and others.
Methodology
This course is built upon the expertise acquired by VVIF’s art facilitators through the implementation of a series of projects under national and European programs—such as "Learning Through the Arts," "Social Inclusion Through Integrative Arts," "MIND§ART," "Art Is for Everyone," "Art at Your Fingertips," the "Sofia Park-Art Fest: Colors of Solidarity," "Ebrumania," "Art in the Panel Complex," "Shadow Theatre for Social Change," "Europe on Our Canvases," "Ethnocultural Palette," "Art-Laboratory LYULIN," "Colorful," "Creative," and many others.
The sessions are practical in nature, centered on immersion in the creative process, discussion of its benefits, and its potential application within a broader social context. The focus lies on individual and collective creativity and its significance for the emancipation and development of individuals, groups, and communities. The selected art techniques are accessible and widely applicable—many featuring a so-called "wow effect"—which engage participants, foster a pleasant working environment, and contribute to a sense of quality time spent together. These art activities cultivate the participants' talents and creative abilities, while also teaching them how to involve others in forms of socially engaged art—art created for a cause or to address social and civic issues.
The training modules are based on 90-minute creative workshops, though these may occasionally run longer. To ensure sufficient breathing room and time for participants to rest, no more than two such sessions are scheduled per day (in addition to sessions dedicated to reflecting on the process). Each day focuses on a different art form. While most activities take place in the VVIF event hall in Sofia, some are held at other locations or outdoors (weather permitting). The training program also includes at least one "art excursion"—either to Mount Vitosha, overlooking Sofia, or to the town of Bankya, known for its thermal mineral waters and located within the Greater Sofia Municipality. The course program is flexible; additional workshops and activities can be incorporated based on the preferences of the participants or the sending/commissioning organizations.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Participants who complete the course will:
- develop their creative expression skills through direct experience with a range of engaging art activities;
- acquire the competencies to facilitate various individual and group creative processes;
- diversify their personal and/or institutional creative portfolios;
- develop skills in art facilitation and art therapy;
- be able to plan appropriate art interventions tailored to the specific target groups they work with;
- learn to convey powerful public messages through various forms of socially engaged art;
- understand how to use art to empower individuals from diverse social groups who are in need of such support.
LANGUAGE
The course can be conducted in Bulgarian and/or English.
REGISTRATION
Please sign up here or contact a representative of the Foundation. A minimum of 4 participants is required for the course to take place.
PROGRAM
The duration can range from two to seven full days. Presented here is a 5-day format (plus 2 days for travel). The training is conducted in person. An introductory online meeting with the participants may be held beforehand.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Day 0
Arrival and accommodation of participants.
Day 1
Introduction to the course theme and objectives. Creative self-introductions by the participants. Presentation on the host organization’s experience, followed by a discussion on the topic of empowerment through art. First steps into creative processes: a workshop on stop-motion animation and/or an evening "bread-building" session (kneading dough to shape and bake artistic figures).
Day 2
The magic of working with silk: an art presentation showcasing silk and textile artworks, as well as fashion design (including an exhibition of original pieces—unique handmade silk scarves, shirts, and dresses, modern handbags, and textile-and-leather backpacks). A workshop on creating/painting silk scarves. A workshop on painting on silk (creating a silk painting).
Day 3
Art in the Park: an art excursion to Vitosha Mountain or the town of Bankya. Outdoor activities centered on individual and collective creative processes. A collective creative project—"Mona Lisa"—and/or a musical contest for the best "Eco-band." Nature art (mandalas and/or art installations created from leaves, wood, flowers, stones, etc.) and/or "trash art" (art created from waste collected in the park or forest).
Day 4
Finger Painting: Art workshops focused on finger painting with oil paints:
- Workshop on the "LIGHT" technique;
- Workshop on the "IMPRINT" technique;
- Workshop on the "FROM SPOTS TO LANDSCAPE" technique.
Day 5
Concluding creative processes, evaluation of the training, and looking toward the future: Decoupage workshop (decoupage techniques) and/or glass painting (on glasses or flat glass surfaces). Workshop on digitizing the artworks created during the program. A session dedicated to preparing an individual project centered on the theme of empowerment and art. Group reflection and sharing, followed by planning next steps. Certificate presentation ceremony.
Day 6
Evaluation of the training, feedback, and departure of participants.
This program is flexible and can be adapted to the needs of the participants and/or the sending organizations. It is possible to include an additional day or sessions dedicated to shadow theater—an engaging form of performing arts featuring shadows cast by non-professional performers, typically individuals from vulnerable groups or communities. Other creative workshops can also be incorporated, such as working with textiles (creating textile panels); art projects using wool (crafting wool dolls and/or three-dimensional wool pictures via techniques like felting над отхер); Еbru marbling art (painting on a liquid surface and transferring the image onto paper or other materials); T-shirt design; the creation of modular artwork; and more.