Workshops for Schools
Introducing Our Newest Project
Search for Buried Treasure:
Discovering Creative Potential in Public Schools
A Serendipity Project of the Marion Institute
"There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true." Soren Kierkegard
The mission of "Search for Buried Treasure:"
As part of our project, we will be creating a documentary film and book demonstrating our results with children and teachers.
Our Framework:
Through the course of many years of working with children and adults' creative development, Creative Lives Director Maureen Burford has developed a large body of work supporting the creative process through experiential education in the arts. A Cornell University graduate with a Masters from the University of MA, Amherst in Creative Education, Maureen's work with individuals and groups took on a deeper level of clarity and influence when she encountered and studied the seminal work of author and philosopher Ellen Tadd. Together, Ellen and Maureen are developing a Framework for Wise Education®, which includes Ellen's unique insights into human development, as well as tools for developing creativity, resilience and well-being.
The project's innovative curricula for children and teachers includes activities in the arts and improvisation, new science, meditation (quieting the mind, developing focus and deep listening), and cultivates appreciation of our diversity and our interconnections with each other and the natural world. Direct experience, attention to individual needs and passions, interconnection with a larger whole: Creative Lives holds these to be key ingredients for profound personal and social change.
First Month Testimonials:
I have never experienced a more powerful or meaningful framework for approaching education.” R.W., CL trainee and staff member
“You should hear the buzz going around the school---the kids LOVE the program. They keep asking me why they have to wait until next week to do drumming again.” M.M. White River teacher
“As an artist I’ve never had the ability to describe how I do what I do to this degree. My colleagues would not believe the results I’m getting using this framework. I can see it being applied in all kinds of new teaching situations. It’s unbelievable.” CL staff and nationally known metal artist and circus act creator.
Our Supporters:
We'll soon be posting more information about our staff our incredible team of project supporters that include the Marion Institute, James and Becky Morgan, The Dorothy and Jack Byrne Foundation, Mascoma Bank, Richmond Mayo-Smith, and other private donors invested in the creative well-being of children.
"It strikes me that schools and colleges emphasize teaching students to learn not to believe what isn't true. I believe we have a vital need to help students stretch their understanding of reality, to begin to believe vast reaches of what is true but which is denied by our present dominant ways of knowing. I believe that your program, by strengthening students' creative abilities and their capacity for seeing clearly, will enable them to increase greatly the depth of their awareness and to grasp and act upon new understandings of reality." Richmond Mayo-Smith, former Head of the Boston Latin School; Board of Directors, The Marion Institute
Search for Buried Treasure: Discovering Creative Potential in Public Schools will also become a documentary film and book, helping to inspire public support for creativity and well-being programming in schools, and development programs for educators.
DONATE:
Please consider taking an opportunity to invest in children's creative potential and future fulfillment. As a Serendipity Project of the Marion Institute, your donation to the Search for Buried Treasure project is tax deductible. Checks made out to the Marion Institute should Include: "Search for Buried Treasure" in the memo line of the check.
Your donation today will help us to match a grant of $5,000 and a grant of $50,000!
Any amount will make a difference. THANK YOU from all the Creative Lives Team for helping us reach more children with our programs.
Send to:
The Marion Institute
Search for Buried Treasure
202 Spring Street
Marion, MA 02738
Our On-going programs::
World of Song Programs for k-8
World of Song programs focus on exploring the diverse art, language, stories, music, dance and traditions from cultures around the world. These programs can be offered as school residences, after-school enrichment, and workshops.
"Within each child is a fountain of creativity. Releasing it through the arts helps
creativity flow through all aspects of their lives, contributing to greater self-esteem,
positive behavior and cooperative group dynamics." -- Maureen Burford
After-School Programs
We can help your school establish after-school programming focused on creative well-being--developing life skills and inner awareness through the arts, new science, community explorations and nature studies. Creative Lives curriculum fosters divergent thinking, collaborative ability, improvisational skills, sensory-motor development, aesthetic faculties, and encourages questioning and experimenting. We nurture the individual gifts of each child, develop their ensemble skills, and provide a mixed age learning community where children are free to explore their passions. Contact the Director for more information!
In-Service Trainings
Opportunities to tailor educator workshops for your school, to develop specific new creativity curriculum in the arts and well-being and to help facilitate positive connections with parents and the community at large.
Consulting
Maureen Burford is available for consulting on creative development, wise education training, arts-infused curriculum, positive group dynamics and building community support for schools.
After School Learning Vermont | Kids Enrichment Vermont | Vermont Theater & Dance