What do you think?
Rate this book
Catch the Fire: An Art-Full Guide to Unleashing the Creative Power of Youth, Adults and Communities
The key to facilitating vibrant, deep, and motivating programs for youth and adults. Community, youth, nonprofit, education, entrepreneurial, and religious organizations all have exciting ambitions, but they often lack the creative skills to impact people on a deeper level. Catch the Fire is a complete guide to using arts and empowerment techniques to bring greater vitality and depth to working with groups of youth or adults. Based on the premise that you don't have to be a professional artist to use the arts in your work, this unique book invites group leaders into the realm of creativity-based facilitation, regardless of previous experience. Including over one hundred stimulating activities incorporating storytelling, theater, writing, visual arts, music, and movement, this detailed guide uses the Creative Community Model to: Drawing on nearly two decades of experience providing transformative programs to empower youth and adults across North America and around the world, Catch the Fire is a powerful and valuable resource and a much-needed reminder that art is for everyone! AWARDS
320 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 2013
9 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 8, 2014
This book is going to change the world of youth work and education! A long awaited breakdown of a very well reputed and raucously enjoyable youth gathering method. The Creative Community Model that is so clearly described here is applicable for anyone who works with groups in ANY capacity, especially if you want to bring more creativity, confidence, depth and joy to your work.
It's full of activities (over 100!), inspirational stories and pictures of people changing their communities all over the world.
It's full of activities (over 100!), inspirational stories and pictures of people changing their communities all over the world.
March 24, 2014
For any youth workers, educators, facilitators and workshop leaders this is a MUST read. Learn how to have a totally transformative effect on the people you work with through a few easy to implement techniques.
Read
July 15, 2020Finding creative responses and alternative solutions to the challenges we face in our lives is difficult, especially when we are not given the tools or encouraged to do so. Art is for everyone and can be an essential tool for navigating issues that arise for both youth and adults from various backgrounds. “Catch the Fire” is an extremely helpful guidebook for anyone who wants to engage in social art and who hopes to empower youth and adults through transformative programs by using art-based approaches as creative problem solving.
The first few chapters of the book focus on why embracing creativity is imperative, how to spark creativity in others, how to effectively structure a program around these parameters, and how to integrate the arts into every aspect of a program. It outlines the importance of creative expression and words and activities that leaders of a group can use to facilitate empowerment.
The final chapters of the book give more instructions and ideas on how to use the world of visual arts and crafts, improvisational theater, storytelling, music, and creative writing into your work with different interactive activities. Some of the activities include: miming and imagination games, open mic, pass around drawings and reflection activities. This part also offers tips on working with diverse cultures and intergenerational groups and how art can act as a welcoming connection between diverse groups.
In the beginning chapters of this book, the authors provide an example of a schedule for a program that they have found beneficial and conducive to creative learning. They include a creative community model that discusses the following steps: a warm welcome, creative invitation, goals and agreements, content activities, reflection, and closing. This has been most helpful to me considering I have a program that meets three days a week and follows a general schedule. Adapting a routine for any youth program is important because it brings the group together and provides a sense of security that some youth don’t find elsewhere in their lives – a warm welcome as important as a conscious closing. I found the advice on how to collect the focus a group of students after busy activities most useful as I often struggle with this in my own programming.
I think this book would be beneficial for CTEP AmeriCorps members to read if they are looking for guidance on how to incorporate creative activities and artistic approaches to programs for both youth and adults. For those who are interested in youth work and education, staying open and curious in their work, encouraging imagination, and bringing vitality to group work and educational programs, “Catch the Fire” is quite a valuable resource and an enlightening read!
"Catch The Fire: An Art-full Guide to Unleashing the Creative Power of Youth, Adults and Communities" is full of useful practices to implement in art-based programming. They even make the case to use such practices in non-arts-based workshops, conferences, and events. The authors explain that they once began a conference of adults who are there to speak about finances with a theatre improv warm-up. They also added a smattering of art practices throughout the day, things that got people comfortable being silly and moving their bodies. Almost every participant experienced a higher energy level, a greater number of ideas that they were confident in, and an increased willingness to share such ideas with the people that they did the art-based activities with. I have led my students in goofy improv warm-ups a few times. It conduced laughter and energy. It also served as a community builder, as many of my students find their own groups within the larger JuiceMedia group (which is great to find that community) but have a hard time leaving their smaller group to reconnect and interact with the JM group as a whole. So finding ways to community build has been important to me but I haven’t been sure exactly how to do it effectively.
“Catch The Fire” suggests that learning names in the first week of programming is an important step toward building a strong community of young artists. Many of my students reported that JM helped them meet other youth filmmakers, which was an important aspect of the program for them. However, I found, in the last week of JM, that some of the students still didn’t know one another’s names. They knew the names of the students in their small group of friends but not the students who didn’t exist in that group. “Catch The Fire” gave me a wide array of name-games to play with the students that don’t feel too cheesy to me. I plan to implement some of them into JM. Community building activities are important but they can feel so forced and awkward; I’m trying to avoid that but it’s a fine line between useful-awkward and total-discomfort-awkward that doesn’t do much but scare students further away from large group activities and conversations. By easing my students into warm-up games that don’t immediately put them on the spot, I believe that comfort sharing in front of the large group can be achieved and then I can start to implement community building exercises that give youth the agency to fully express a new idea or movement to the large group.
I would recommend this to other CTEPs, even people who don’t teach youth/art programming. Understanding the value of art in every capacity and every sphere is important. Giving people a platform to self-express and to validate that self-expression by simply listening to it or watching it unfurl allows people to begin to see themselves as dynamic contributors to something greater than their workplace or the company they work for. Creating art allows us to participate in a great quilt of divine humanity. As “Catch The Fire” mentions, everybody is an artist, even if you don’t have the title of painter or poet or author.
The first few chapters of the book focus on why embracing creativity is imperative, how to spark creativity in others, how to effectively structure a program around these parameters, and how to integrate the arts into every aspect of a program. It outlines the importance of creative expression and words and activities that leaders of a group can use to facilitate empowerment.
The final chapters of the book give more instructions and ideas on how to use the world of visual arts and crafts, improvisational theater, storytelling, music, and creative writing into your work with different interactive activities. Some of the activities include: miming and imagination games, open mic, pass around drawings and reflection activities. This part also offers tips on working with diverse cultures and intergenerational groups and how art can act as a welcoming connection between diverse groups.
In the beginning chapters of this book, the authors provide an example of a schedule for a program that they have found beneficial and conducive to creative learning. They include a creative community model that discusses the following steps: a warm welcome, creative invitation, goals and agreements, content activities, reflection, and closing. This has been most helpful to me considering I have a program that meets three days a week and follows a general schedule. Adapting a routine for any youth program is important because it brings the group together and provides a sense of security that some youth don’t find elsewhere in their lives – a warm welcome as important as a conscious closing. I found the advice on how to collect the focus a group of students after busy activities most useful as I often struggle with this in my own programming.
I think this book would be beneficial for CTEP AmeriCorps members to read if they are looking for guidance on how to incorporate creative activities and artistic approaches to programs for both youth and adults. For those who are interested in youth work and education, staying open and curious in their work, encouraging imagination, and bringing vitality to group work and educational programs, “Catch the Fire” is quite a valuable resource and an enlightening read!
"Catch The Fire: An Art-full Guide to Unleashing the Creative Power of Youth, Adults and Communities" is full of useful practices to implement in art-based programming. They even make the case to use such practices in non-arts-based workshops, conferences, and events. The authors explain that they once began a conference of adults who are there to speak about finances with a theatre improv warm-up. They also added a smattering of art practices throughout the day, things that got people comfortable being silly and moving their bodies. Almost every participant experienced a higher energy level, a greater number of ideas that they were confident in, and an increased willingness to share such ideas with the people that they did the art-based activities with. I have led my students in goofy improv warm-ups a few times. It conduced laughter and energy. It also served as a community builder, as many of my students find their own groups within the larger JuiceMedia group (which is great to find that community) but have a hard time leaving their smaller group to reconnect and interact with the JM group as a whole. So finding ways to community build has been important to me but I haven’t been sure exactly how to do it effectively.
“Catch The Fire” suggests that learning names in the first week of programming is an important step toward building a strong community of young artists. Many of my students reported that JM helped them meet other youth filmmakers, which was an important aspect of the program for them. However, I found, in the last week of JM, that some of the students still didn’t know one another’s names. They knew the names of the students in their small group of friends but not the students who didn’t exist in that group. “Catch The Fire” gave me a wide array of name-games to play with the students that don’t feel too cheesy to me. I plan to implement some of them into JM. Community building activities are important but they can feel so forced and awkward; I’m trying to avoid that but it’s a fine line between useful-awkward and total-discomfort-awkward that doesn’t do much but scare students further away from large group activities and conversations. By easing my students into warm-up games that don’t immediately put them on the spot, I believe that comfort sharing in front of the large group can be achieved and then I can start to implement community building exercises that give youth the agency to fully express a new idea or movement to the large group.
I would recommend this to other CTEPs, even people who don’t teach youth/art programming. Understanding the value of art in every capacity and every sphere is important. Giving people a platform to self-express and to validate that self-expression by simply listening to it or watching it unfurl allows people to begin to see themselves as dynamic contributors to something greater than their workplace or the company they work for. Creating art allows us to participate in a great quilt of divine humanity. As “Catch The Fire” mentions, everybody is an artist, even if you don’t have the title of painter or poet or author.
July 20, 2019
Required reading for facilitators of all ages and a powerful tool for working with communities!
October 30, 2014
If I hadn't been drawn to Catch the Fire by its subject matter, the cover would definitely have caught my eye. Diane McIntosh is credited with the vibrant design, an enticing invitation to the inspiration inside.
I'm a strong proponent of the arts being part of any sort of gathering to enhance learning, build community and have fun—all while getting the work at hand done. As the authors say in their introduction: "You might be a teacher who finds ways to slip creative practices into the classroom or a business person who uses arts-based practices to lead exciting and motivating staff meetings."
Even if you aren't already someone who finds way to slip creative practices into your gatherings or meetings, you'll be inspired to do so by this book. Community organizers, social workers, government officials can all use the exercises described in Catch the Fire. Anyone can become a "social artist" according to the authors, Peggy Taylor and Charlie Murphy.
The first part of Catch the Fire, "The Call for Creative Community," gives many examples of people who pay attention to the right brain in their work with others. Poet David Whyte, David Pink and the late Angeles Arrien are among them.
A list of the benefits of the arts as "good medicine" are helpful reminders to readers. Art elicits joy, promotes health, develops empathy, strengthens human connection.
During their two decades of work, Peggy Taylor and Charlie Murphy have developed the Creative Community Model. They share stories of how their model has been used for youth and adults in settings around the world. For example, Bahia, Brazil, was the location of a four-day training camp where employers of Agrifirma, Brazil, sponsors of the camp, engaged with volunteers and youth for a positive and transformative intergenerational learning experience.
A drawing of the model developed by the authors and their colleagues helps to illustrate the Creative Community Model approach. Other illustrations including "The Nine Core Tasks of the Facilitator" help to describe a typical training camp experience.
The authors believe you don't have to be a professional artist to use the arts in your work. In Part Three, "Creative Facilitator's Playbook," all sorts of activities are described. I've participated in many of them and was glad to be reminded of visual arts and crafts; creative writing with others; theater improvisation; storytelling, music, rhythm and dance.
There are always challenges in working with groups and the authors describe some approaches to and resources for working with diverse groups in Part Four, "Facilitation Tools."
The work of Peggy Taylor and Charlie Murphy is based on a "learn-by-doing model" and through their years of working with others they have had the pleasure of seeing many people "waken to innate creativity." Their book is an inspiring resource, as it is about their work of "re-enchanting the world through arts for everyone." There are so many possibilities for individuals and groups. Integrating even a few of the practices described in Catch the Fire into our own communities will make a huge difference in how we connect with one another.
by Mary Ann Moore
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
I'm a strong proponent of the arts being part of any sort of gathering to enhance learning, build community and have fun—all while getting the work at hand done. As the authors say in their introduction: "You might be a teacher who finds ways to slip creative practices into the classroom or a business person who uses arts-based practices to lead exciting and motivating staff meetings."
Even if you aren't already someone who finds way to slip creative practices into your gatherings or meetings, you'll be inspired to do so by this book. Community organizers, social workers, government officials can all use the exercises described in Catch the Fire. Anyone can become a "social artist" according to the authors, Peggy Taylor and Charlie Murphy.
The first part of Catch the Fire, "The Call for Creative Community," gives many examples of people who pay attention to the right brain in their work with others. Poet David Whyte, David Pink and the late Angeles Arrien are among them.
A list of the benefits of the arts as "good medicine" are helpful reminders to readers. Art elicits joy, promotes health, develops empathy, strengthens human connection.
During their two decades of work, Peggy Taylor and Charlie Murphy have developed the Creative Community Model. They share stories of how their model has been used for youth and adults in settings around the world. For example, Bahia, Brazil, was the location of a four-day training camp where employers of Agrifirma, Brazil, sponsors of the camp, engaged with volunteers and youth for a positive and transformative intergenerational learning experience.
A drawing of the model developed by the authors and their colleagues helps to illustrate the Creative Community Model approach. Other illustrations including "The Nine Core Tasks of the Facilitator" help to describe a typical training camp experience.
The authors believe you don't have to be a professional artist to use the arts in your work. In Part Three, "Creative Facilitator's Playbook," all sorts of activities are described. I've participated in many of them and was glad to be reminded of visual arts and crafts; creative writing with others; theater improvisation; storytelling, music, rhythm and dance.
There are always challenges in working with groups and the authors describe some approaches to and resources for working with diverse groups in Part Four, "Facilitation Tools."
The work of Peggy Taylor and Charlie Murphy is based on a "learn-by-doing model" and through their years of working with others they have had the pleasure of seeing many people "waken to innate creativity." Their book is an inspiring resource, as it is about their work of "re-enchanting the world through arts for everyone." There are so many possibilities for individuals and groups. Integrating even a few of the practices described in Catch the Fire into our own communities will make a huge difference in how we connect with one another.
by Mary Ann Moore
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
August 25, 2014
Catch the Fire is a complete book for all Facilitators! It encompasses the entire gamut of arts, right from theater, to poetry right through to the visual arts. Whether you are a beginner in Arts based Facilitation or have been involved with the arts for years, this book has tons to offer.
With crystal clear instructions to over 100 activities, this book also offers generous doses of inspiring stories and an insight into the process of how the arts create a transformative space. Easy to follow, effective and handy, is the perfect one if you are looking to increase your impact.
With crystal clear instructions to over 100 activities, this book also offers generous doses of inspiring stories and an insight into the process of how the arts create a transformative space. Easy to follow, effective and handy, is the perfect one if you are looking to increase your impact.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews