Taproot Artist Circles
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What would it do for you to have a regular meeting with an artist community for support, comradery, accountability and depth of dialogue? And if that community was built of people at your level of commitment and expertise and with a shared sense of values around making work that matters?
I can tell you that, for me and the artists and creatives that I work with, it makes a world of difference. It brings a sense of purpose, focus and energy. |
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Taproot Artist Circle for professionals is an intentionally small group for mid-career artists and creatives working in a variety of mediums. You care about the work having depth and integrity. Whether or not you intend to make a living from your creative work, it is a central part of your life and you are able to commit time, energy and resources to it. You are “all in” and ready to up the ante, to take your work more seriously.
Some of the themes that we address: ( I wonder if it would be better to just name the topics and not give the sentences- they are not working yet. Also, would it be better to map it out in terms of the schedule over the course of the year- what is going to be discussed in each season? or is that another section?
- developing a supportive inner witness to hold a safe space for the creative exploration.
- Structure and freedom- creating effective work structures, time and space, habits and rituals: so that you can feel the ease and spaciousness of a creative life instead of the frantic sense that you should always be doing more.
- Creative values: refine your understanding of what is important to you in creative work: what makes it sing for you. This is not about what the critics or art historians think, it is what you know for yourself. When you gain more clarity on that, your ability to create your own best work opens up.
- Inspiration and source material: nourish your creative soul so that the work flows with the excitement of discovery and the rightness of personal engagement and does not get stopped up with too many ideas leading you in the wrong direction.
- Creative process and cycles: Tapping into your deepest and most meaningful work involves understand the overlapping and interconnected cycles of your particular creative process. You gain a sense of ease and trust in the process and excitement for what is emerging.
- Mindset blocks and limiting beliefs: we all have fears, patterns and distorted beliefs that get in our way. Learn to recognize them as they come up, and gain the tools and skills to learn from them and grow beyond them.
- Creative direction: build or refine a solid reliable creative direction and voice that is both authentic and inspired. Gain confidence and clarity in describing your work and the meanings that emerge out of it.
- Community: Lean into a creative community that is deeply supportive on a number of levels. Learn what the essential components of community are for you and how you might continue to grow your creative community beyond the group in a way that feels supportive, engaging and easeful.
- Audience: Take the next steps to developing the right audience and type of venue for you with a goal toward getting the work out into the world in a way that fits who you are as a person and a creative: your values, strengths, mission and temperament are key in making choices about how you want to bring your work out into the world. This is about finding a way to connect that feels authentic, fun and nourishing- what a radical idea!
1. A small intimate community of exciting artists from around the world who are all committed to creating work from a deep place.
2. Witness response- Monthly we will meet to share work with each other and give witness response. This is a central part of the program with a kind of feedback that gives you a sense of the power and value of your work. It is far more inspiring and empowering than the traditional critique format. Experiencing your work land fully with other people who are letting it soak in and move them, is profoundly important for artists. It is having your communication heard/ received and respected.
3. Coaching group- Monthly we will meet for support on all of the topics mentioned above and others that come up along the way. There will be monthly themes and flexibility for each member to address whatever is most pressing for them whether or not it fits with the theme of the month. These rich monthly sessions will be like mini-workshops with experiential exercises, deep conversation and time for personal reflection and support.
4. Accountability and comradery- Two weeks out of the month will be dedicated to our own community co-working followed by an open forum conversation. I will lead a grounding exercise, we will set intentions and then spend a good chunk of time doing our own work. It is shocking how much more productive and focused it is possible to be in this context. I have found that these conversations are a beautiful way to deepen our connection with each other.
5. Individual coaching- These sessions are built around your needs. This is a place to gain clarity, get individual support on moving through challenges, set intentions and gain insights. You can choose the level of individual support according to your needs
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What Taproot Artist Circle is not:
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Taproot Artist Circle is for artists and creatives who:
Who this is not for:
- Are involved in visual arts, fine crafts, writing, dance, music, etc. All forms are accepted as long as the work can be effectively shared via the internet and can be seen or heard effectively within 10 or 15 minutes
- Work in an ever-evolving creative process and love growth and depth.
- Want their work to matter and want to make a positive difference in the world.
- Have been in your creative world long enough to know some ups and downs.
- Have a high standard of quality and while always developing more, a solid set of skills in their chosen medium
- Strive to make work that is honest, vulnerable, moving and authentic
- Are open to or enjoy guided visualizations
- Want to get the work out into the world
- Want to be a part of a community of artists and creatives who support each other on their journey
Who this is not for:
- Artists who are in beginning stages of learning their craft
- Artists who are not interested in the community and personal development
- Artists who want to give and receive challenging (critical or negative) critique and advice- this is not part of our program
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What you can expect to gain from it
How the group is structured and what is included
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Schedule:
Thursdays from 1-3:30 pm ET (occasional weeks off for holidays)
10 month commitment
September 5, 2024- June 26, 2025
Cost:
Standard program is $3800 for the year or $395 monthly
Thursdays from 1-3:30 pm ET (occasional weeks off for holidays)
10 month commitment
September 5, 2024- June 26, 2025
Cost:
Standard program is $3800 for the year or $395 monthly
- Includes individual coaching on a seasonal basis, or every 3 months
- Includes individual coaching once a month
- Includes individual coaching twice a month
How do you sign up?
If this feels like it could be a great fit for you, I invite you to apply. I am being careful in my selection process so that I can assure that there is a good fit among members. I am looking for diversity in every way possible, as well as a common commitment to a supportive community and depth of creative work. Often people work with me individually for a while before joining the group, but if you would like to dive right in, lets talk!
When you register for an appointment, there is a form to fill out. Thank you for taking the time with it!
When you register for an appointment, there is a form to fill out. Thank you for taking the time with it!
