Artistic and Arts-based Projects and Courses

The practice, development and contemplation of the arts are central to Anthroposophy. Yet there is no one anthroposophical approach to art, other than that of creativity that looks to the spiritual in human and world. The aim is not just creative self-expression but also transcendence and transformation of the individual but also of the material substances used in art-making towards the spiritual.

Steiner emphasised the role of arts as a force for individual and social renewal. Becoming artistic is an inner need of Anthroposophy, he said, otherwise it cannot go into the future. Therefore, the arts play a focal role in education and therapy, as well as in personal and professional development in any sphere of human activity.

In the Australian scene, there are well-established vocational trainings and professional practices in the performing arts, including eurythmy, music, the visual arts and architecture. Many of these are listed on this site under Adult Education and Training.

Listed below are current projects and initiatives. 

 

Visual Arts

Painted Space Studio

In Creativity, Art and Spirituality Meet

Art as a Path of Schooling for the Soul, is open to anyone interested in combining inner work with artistic practice, but is particularly aimed at professional development or refreshment for artists, teachers and therapists.

This two-year online part-time course offers the flexibility of studying at home under the direction of highly experienced teacher yet in the company of an international online community of like-minded students of art and anthroposophy.

Painted Space also has short online and on-the-ground visual arts courses and webinars with a focus on art as a spiritual practice. There are both introductory and advanced courses available on painting, drawing, Steiner’s colour theory, Waldorf curriculum, therapeutic indications and nature study. Courses are a combination of the classes, pre-recorded videos, webinars, self-study and individual mentoring.

Find out more about all the courses here. 

 

Performing Arts

Heart Fire Centre for Speech and Drama 

Announcing a new speech and drama initiative 

The Creative Life of Language Workshop 15-17 March is the first workshop for the new Heart Fire Centre for Speech and Drama. It will explore the creative forces of language; vowels as gateway to the soul, consonants as gateway to the world. Find out more here or contact from Katrina Stowe.

Situated in proximity to Pacifica College of Eurythmy, Heart Fire Centre is based in Samford Valley, Queensland. The Heart Fire methodology will bring together the Chekhov approach to drama, Steiner’s creative speech formation and eurythmy. The Centre is still mainly in the conception stage, but is holding introductory workshops in the Samford Valley, QLD over the next few years. 

 

StoryVision

Inscribing Signs with a Finger Dipped in Light…

StoryVision offers workshops, seminars and courses Australia-wide on the creative power of storytelling and stories. For details, please contact Iris Curteis.

Storyvision has a new Schooling Course Inscribing Signs with a Finger Dipped in Light… under the auspices of StoryVision, about the spiritual pathway to understanding death. It presents a method and process of inner development for people dedicated to accompanying the dying. It equally provides personal and professional development for those seeking emotional intelligence, self- awareness and lifelong learning. We recommend it for counsellors, health practitioners, carers, social and support workers, educators, and those who wish to care for the newly deceased, such as funeral personnel and celebrants.

The schooling course runs from March 24 – November 24 2024 at Harmony Centre, Mittagong, NSW. For more information, please contact Iris Curteis or Irmhild Kleinhenz.

 

The Parsifal Project  

A journey of trials and transformation

The Parsifal Project is a contemporary reimagining of the famous medieval legend as a multimedia performance, brought into the living present through word, music, movement and art in community. Performances will take place on Saturday 12, Saturday 19 October, and Sunday 20 October 2024 at the Living Arts Centre in Mount Barker, SA.
 
If you would like to support this initiative, you can also donate to the project to help launch their vision. Go to Give Now – Ink Pot Arts – 10 Reasons... Please include a note about supporting The Parsifal Project. Tax-deductible receipts automatically issued.

 

Word Sisters

Medieval Illustration of the Zodiacal signs on parts of the body

Performing arts meets biographical work

Word Sisters have been creating as a collaborative community since 2017. They are four creative arts practitioners (performers, storytellers, workshop facilitators, poets, and writers) who have a common background in Anthroposophy. They initially met over 20 years ago exploring Steiner’s Speech and Drama methods through workshops in Western Australia. By combining Steiner’s Speech and Drama indications, eurythmy, creative writing and biography work, they devise performances and related workshops. A playful curiosity and phenomenological research approach has enabled them to craft and share regular performance/workshop projects.

Find out more from Renate Millonig or Read a review of their work

 

 

 

Arts-based Research

Stream of Life Research Studio

 

There are also many individual artists, designers, composers, musicians and architects with their own practices. They frequently advertise their courses and events in the Directory or Events

 

¹ from i thank You God for most this amazing by e.e. cummings

Photo credits: courtesy of Fiona Campbell