Freire, the Artist and the Community

Art, theatre and culture in social change

Reimagine education and activism through the creative power of art and theatre

The role of education extends beyond traditional classrooms and textbooks. It transcends the boundaries of disciplines, inviting us to engage with ideas, narratives, and practices that shape the very essence of our society. This course takes us on a transformative journey through the realms of art, theatre, and culture, guided by the educational philosophy of Paulo Freire.

Paulo Freire's name is inseparable from the concept of critical pedagogy, an approach that challenges the passive reception of information and instead advocates for dynamic dialogues, participatory learning, and critical consciousness. His groundbreaking work in education has not only revolutionized teaching methods but has also cast a powerful light on the intersections between education, culture, and social change.

The course is an invitation to reimagine education, creativity, and activism. As we traverse the landscapes of stories, semiotics, engagement, and empowerment, we embrace the legacy of Paulo Freire and embark on a journey of intellectual and experiential growth that transcends the walls of academia and resonates deeply with the transformative potential of art and culture.

Topics

  • Storytelling and the importance of 'story' in our cultural lives
  • Semiotics, culture and language
  • Socially engaged practice
  • Sharing experiences
  • Theatre of the Oppressed
  • Theatre as a tool for development
  • Reflecting on art and culture through a Freirean lens
Sign Up £250 £125

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  Registration Offer

This course is now open for Super Early Bird Registration. Register now and get a big discount off the normal price of this course.

  Course Starts

The course starts on September 22, 2025.

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  Duration

You will be registered for 12 months from the start of the course. The minimum time necessary to complete the course is 3 months.

  Course Delivery

Course materials such as videos, readings and tasks will be released over the period of your enrollment. Live online seminars are not part of the course content but may be made available as a bonus.

  Course Certificate

You will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the course.

Interested?

Join this course and become part of our learning community

Registration for this course has now closed.
Sign Up £250 £125

Course Sessions

Quick Start

(Re)Telling the story

Applying a critical Freirean pedagogy to explore arts in the community and performance. What stories are we telling others and ourselves about our projects and practice? Who are the characters? Are we unwittingly creating new forms of inequality and oppression through our practice?

Semiotics, culture and language

This seminar explores the important links between language and neutrality. It will introduce students to the relevance of semiotics and codification within the context of arts in the community. How do we codify or ‘read’ those we work with? How do they ‘read’ or interpret ourselves, our behaviour, our art and our performance and projects?

Socially engaged practice

Socially engaged, socially enraged or socially restricted practice? An in-depth look at who we engage with and how. Who is listening, who is talking? How do we represent ourselves and others? This session will make use of 2 internationally known visual artists to explore themes of social engagement and inequality.

Storytelling: Making sense of ourselves, events and change

Making sense of ourselves and our lives. The sharing of lived experiences and storytelling is integral to Freirean pedagogy and social change. We explore the telling and re-telling of stories, ownership, agency and hierarchy.

Theatre and Development

What makes this form of theatre different to other forms of theatre? Where does theatre of the oppressed fit into current theatre practice and why is it used in social change? Do we still believe we are ‘rehearsing for a revolution” (Augusto Boal)?

The Emancipated Spect-actor

Widening the gaze; from forum to immersive theatre experiences and installation which challenge our perspective and identity. Is Theatre of the Oppressed evolving and if so, what does it now look like? How do we know if a revolution is taking place; evaluating performances.

Creative Approaches to Education

This seminar explores some core Freirean approaches to education which challenge the banking concept of education to create models which are political acts to transfer knowledge and empowerment. What is the role of the artist in this? Most creative approaches to education are focussed on children and young adults. Is it possible to transfer these models for projects with adults?

Arts in Conflict: Negotiating Violence and Peace

“Art is not made to decorate apartments, it is an instrument of war”(Pablo Picasso). Creative practice is well-established in divided communities and communities experiencing conflict. This session will explore the role of the artist within such communities with attention focussed on the use of art and performance in conflict resolution, transformation and peacekeeping.

Reflection, Evaluation and Conscientization

Course reflection, evaluation and feedback. Freire, the artist and the community; an evolving story?

Assignment and Completion

Frequently asked questions

Can I view the course material without taking the assignments?

You do not have to take the assignment at the end of the course, but there are tasks and exercises during the course that are essential to the learning process. You will need to complete these in order to progress. The assignment is based upon these tasks and exercises.

How long does the course take?

If you go through the sessions week by week and complete everything as quickly as possible, the course will take around three months. However, we give you a year's registration in order to make sure that you have plenty of time.

What do I need to do for the course certificate?

You need to complete a learning journal, based on tasks and exercises that you will have completed throughout the course.

Do I get feedback during the course?

Yes, you are able to engage with tutors and you will receive help and feedback where needed.

Join our community of practice

Special offer: Sign up as a member today and get your first year's membership free!

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