The Artist’s Way Creative Cohort

taw-creative-cohort-header

Do you long to feel more creative?
Do you have a burning desire to write or paint or make music, but never seem to get around to it?
Do you feel dried up or out of touch with your creativity?

Are you ready to break through the limiting beliefs that keep you from creating—in a safe, supportive environment with fellow creatives?

Come join The Artist’s Way Creative Cohort!

I know exactly what it’s like to feel out of touch with your creativity. I’ve been there.

In December 2009, I was deep in the throes of creative burnout and didn’t know how to reconnect with my creative spirit.

A friend and I decided to study Julia Cameron’s seminal work, The Artist’s Way, together. We read the book and completed the exercises independently, meeting weekly to discuss the process and our progress.

At the end of 12 weeks, we both felt reinvigorated and ready to tackle new projects enthusiastically.

While the book itself is powerful, what’s even more powerful is connecting with someone else to share your stories and to receive and offer enthusiasm, support, and accountability. That’s where the creative cohort comes in.

What is The Artist’s Way Creative Cohort, really?

The Artist’s Way Creative Cohort is a live, guided, experiential workshop and community based on Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way.

The Creative Cohort combines three key elements:

  • Twice monthly video conference calls to discuss each chapter, complete the exercises, and share setbacks and celebrations
  • A 24/7 Facebook group for check-in between calls
  • A small community of like-minded women where you can connect authentically, and receive support and gentle accountability

I would recommend The Artist’s Way Creative Cohort to any creative. My favorite part was connecting with the other women, having time to talk about what we read and learned, and holding each other accountable in a friendly way.

I highly recommend Kate Watson as a facilitator. She is not judgmental, she is very supportive, and she helps you to bring your best self forward.” – Jody Y.

How does it work?

Every other week for 24 weeks, you meet live with 11 other creative women via a web-based videoconferencing service.

During calls, we discuss one chapter of the book, completing exercises together in small breakout groups to enable in-depth discussion of our individual experiences and realizations.

Between calls, we keep in touch through a private 24/7 Facebook group that allows us to check in with each other and share our successes and setbacks.

I know how easy it is to feel lost in those huge Facebook groups. That won’t happen here. With just 12 members in this community, you will get to know the other members of the group, making real and lasting connections.

Why this course?

Whether you’ve felt creatively blocked or burned out, The Artist’s Way Creative Cohort provides a safe place to tap into the flow of your creativity. The process of connecting to your creative spirit, while deeply personal, is rooted in basic principles you will learn along the way.

Through 12 sessions, you are guided through a practice that helps you unblock your creative flow, whether the block is caused by fear, self-sabotage, guilt, grief, or many other limiting beliefs.

As a result of this work, you will:

  • Excavate buried dreams
  • Learn to recognize and resolve fears blocking your creativity
  • Move beyond the pain of creative constriction
  • Acknowledge and discard old ideas about creativity
  • Develop practices to reinvigorate and cultivate your creativity
  • Instill a deeper sense of self and safety in pursuing the path you choose
  • Embrace new creative confidence
  • Gain the ability to create more freely
  • Nurture your inner artist
  • Connect with a community of like-minded women to support your journey now and in the future

Who is this for?

Any woman who wants to practice the art of creative living will benefit from this program, including professional artists, hobbyists, and non-artists who want to become more attuned to their creative spirit. No artistic experience is required.

If the course description, topics, and expected outcomes resonate with you, you’re in the right place.

As Julia Cameron shares in The Artist’s Way introduction: “No matter what your age or life path, whether making art is your career or your hobby or your dream, it is not too late or too egotistical or too selfish or too silly to work on your creativity.”

When does it start?

Registration for the January 2016 session is closed. Dates for the next session are TBD.

To be notified when the next session is announced and registration opens, get on this list.

With Kate’s guidance I found the courage to believe in my art. She was amazingly supportive while I discovered myself and dealt with my insecurities.” – Pernilla P.

Kate WatsonAbout Your Hostess

Kate Watson is a writer, photographer, and strategist for creative businesses. In other words, a true Renaissance Soul.

Creator of the Art Aligned program and founder of KateWatson.net, Kate has synthesized her combined experience as a fundraiser, award-winning photographer, consultant, and small-business owner into a supportive education platform for creative women.

At KateWatson.net, Kate writes about conscious and creative living, and teaches courses that invite readers to live more conscious, creative lives. Her mission is to help you build a better world—from the inside out.

Kind Words

“I am so grateful to Kate for giving me the space to hear my own voice. I am a raving fan, and would encourage everyone to work with her.” – Cassandra R.

“Kate was an excellent leader and facilitator! She really invested in me. It was very clear that she truly wants to see me succeed.” – Brook R.

“Kate, I’d like to tell you that, thanks to you, I’ve finally started to believe in my work, vision and abilities.” – Katarina K.

“Kate is classy, reliable, and smart. She listens.” – Diolinda V.

“Kate was incredibly helpful throughout the whole duration of this course. I couldn’t recommend it more. Very satisfied.” – T.P.

 

FAQ

What do I need to participate in this workshop and community?

Five things are essential to participating in this workshop: 1) A computer or mobile device with access to high-speed Internet, 2) a copy of Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, 3) a notebook to complete your morning pages and exercises, 4) a Facebook account to connect between calls, and 5) a positive, open-minded attitude.

How many people will be in the community?

12 total, including your facilitator, Kate Watson. The small group size means you will get to know all of your fellow participants and develop real camaraderie.

What is the time commitment?

Live calls last approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours. There will also be homework between calls, which is estimated to require up to 3 to 5 hours per week.

What if I can’t attend every session?

While you are encouraged to attend live sessions, I totally understand that sometimes life gets in the way. Calls will be recorded and available for download after each session.

Will there be homework?

Yes. The Artist’s Way encourages two tools that require outside work, morning pages and artist dates. Morning pages are stream-of-conscious writings you complete each morning (to the extent possible) and artist dates are regular outings where you uncover your inspirations and connect with your creativity.

Each chapter also suggests some tasks that help you further your understanding of that week’s theme. All together, you can expect 7-10 hours of coursework between each call, or 3-5 hours per week.

Do I have to share video on the calls?

Of course not, but I hope you will. There’s something special about seeing people face-to-face when you’re creating a community. Think of how much deeper your connections to each other will be if you’re willing to really show up in this way (at least some of the time).

What forms of payment do you accept?

Payment is accepted via Paypal. If you would like to discuss other payment options, please contact me at kate[at]katewatson.net.

Have a question not covered in this FAQ? Drop me a line at kate[at]katewatson.net.