Intermodal Expressive Arts Therapy differs from conventional talk therapy in that it incorporates various art forms as music, visual arts, and poetry in the work with the participants' wishes and performances. This form of work helps to identify challenges as well as own resources, strengths and visions. Through the process of art-making, an Expressive Arts therapist discovers how their clients can live in a better way, how the arts facilitate change, personal growth and transformation. Expressive Arts Therapy is based on philosophy, anthropology, psychology, and performative arts.
Background
Shaun McNiff (artist and author of Integrating the Arts in Therapy. History, theory, and Practice) founded at Lesley University the ‘institute for the arts and human development’ what was then called ‘expressive therapy’. He invited in scientist and artist Paolo Knill who developed the Intermodal expressive arts approach. It is based on poly-esthetic theory, intermodal theory, aesthetic analysis, imagery, art-based research (Shaun McNIff) and poiesis (a philosophy in which something is brought to life that did not exist before), from the ancient Greek term ‘To create.’ In EXA, art and a low skill- high sensitivity method is used to rediscover and rebuild the balance of the whole person through the Salutogenesis concept of health (body, soul, mind) for good health and life. Today, the program is offered as a master's program at the European Graduate School in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, with multiple institutes affiliated worldwide.
Being with the Arts is our Way of Being in the World
Learn to use the Arts as a bridge between the infinite possibility of imagination and the actuality of the everyday reality. By applying and advancing the methodology and philosophical foundations of Expressive Arts into areas of Human Service Organizations, Profit and Non---profit Institutions, Business and Corporate Management and Educational Institutions, intermodal methods and practice provide effective, creative and solution---oriented counsel.
NSAH (Nordic School of Arts and Health) now offers module K in Intermodal Expressive Arts as a part of an M.A. from EGS as cooperating partner.
Links:
https://www.expressivearts.egs.edu/ Division Arts, Health and Society (at the European Graduate School)
The MA programs: https://www.expressivearts.egs.edu/master-programs
Accreditation: https://egs.edu/about/ The European Graduate School/EGS is accredited as a University by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA).
Plan of Studies
The curriculum is divided into three Summer Residencies at the EGS Saas-Fee campus and continuous training with internships at local sites. There are three Intensive Training Seminars (ITC-P, ITC-D and IT-3) offered on campus in two session periods during the summer in Switzerland. In the interim periods (fall, winter and spring), students undertake their academic projects and internships, and participate in seminars for Expressive Arts Modules K, P, and F which are either offered by EGS on campus in Saas-Fee or by accredited Cooperating Institutes with approved teachers, training therapists and supervisors. A minimum of one year is necessary to complete the Master's Thesis requirement.
Module K+ Entrance Requirements Qualifying Bachelor’s Degree (in fine arts, helping profession or related field) or sufficient college credits to take the ACCESS exam through European Graduate School.
The options for an M.A. are in:
EXA Therapy with a minor in psychology (120 cp ECTS) (60 US credits)
EXA Peacebuilding and conflict transformation (102 cp ECTS)
EXA Coaching and consulting (102 cp ECTS).
These specializations take the same K module, also the same summer schools. Module F is different for the last two options. (OBS EXA peacebuilding and conflict transformation needs the specialization course on Global Health in Malta https://egs.edu/campuses/ )
Internships:
Students do the internship in Denmark, with 30 hours individual supervision. Example of a study plan: -Module K in Denmark - internship and supervision -module A-P courses in Saas Fee / module ITS P -module F courses online with EGS -module ITS D in Saas Fee Write the thesis - the exams in Saas Fee Modul K : -Low skill, high sensitivity method (Intermodal Expressive Arts) – 16 cp ECTS (7 US credits) Completed in Copenhagen. Workload 480 hours: Self-study 320 hours - Presence time 160 hours. Studio work is 180 hours
Curriculum
1.Expressive Arts Oriented Theatre Foundation with a Concentration in Group Work • Community Art and Expressive Arts Oriented Theatre: How to make art with large groups based on storytelling; working in teams. How to cope with the creative process and handle the artistic performance from a storytelling perspective to create awareness.
2.Expressive Arts Oriented Visual Arts Foundation with a Concentration in Art analogue and Art oriented Attitude • We will explore painting, sculpting and drawing: How to dialogue with the image, harvesting methods and techniques through low skill and high sensitivity ability. 3.Expressive Arts Oriented Poetry Foundation with a Concentration in Aesthetics and Aesthetic Responsibility • Storytelling and responsibility: primary aesthetics of creative writing; how “self” is a story, how we change the story with art-making. • Creative writing and the Oral Tradition: the elements of storytelling; performance poetry.
4. Expressive Arts Oriented Music Foundation with a concentration on the Architecture of a Session and Working in Teams • Intermodal Music and Sound: primary aesthetics of music; creating soundscapes to support dance • Embodied movement through music : embodied consciousness and being in the world.
5. Intermodal Oeuvre Oriented Art Work Presentation of Art Work; with a Concentration in Decentering and Aesthetic Analysis Qualifying Exam • Arts Based Research and Aesthetic Analysis: Presentation of Art Work; with a Concentration in Decentering and Aesthetic Analysis. Qualifying Exam
Self-study / requirements: •
Projects with peers and self-evaluation procedure • Assigned reading • Preparation exposé • Studio work (180 hours) • Self study (140 hours) • Entrance qualification (E): successful participation of an Introduction Course • Module exam (M): presentation of Art work EGS MA
The students are able to:
Self-competence • recognize and make use of their resources as artists and develop and/or deepen a personal style while being open to surprises • recognize challenges and cope through the artistic process to reach workable solutions with endurance • reflect the own artistic process • create a suitable setting and shape the process of an Expressive Arts session Professional competence • get involved in an artistic process, to form and reflect it • determine the peculiarity and effectiveness of different Art disciplines and to know how and when to apply them • classify the practiced art disciplines in culture and in the history of Art • create a work of Art until it is conclusive • present a work of Art Social competence • cope with the creative process, handle the artistic performance in a social context and cultivate autonomy within cultural and social context • take part in a constructive way in the decision- making processes (individuals and groups) • cultivate an appropriate style in handling conflicts • validate the artistic processes and works of Art of their own and of others • distinguish between group processes and the own person
