The Participatory Arts and Somatic Research Certification Program is an intensive educational program dedicated to integrating performance expression and somatic research with application in the fields of health, education, social change and the arts. The program is separated into two separate modules, along with intensives and weekend workshops, to best accommodate our students' schedules. The curriculum includes the study of somatics, body sciences, process arts and performance disciplines. Combining creative engagement and practical skills, Participatory Arts and Somatic Research studies are integrated through self-directed projects, group projects, and performances. This certification provides pre-requisites required for the professional Somatic Movement Therapy Training (SMTT) taught by MOC co-founder Martha Eddy.

Graduate credit is also now available for many of our workshops.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PARTICIPATORY ARTS AND SOMATIC RESEARCH CERTIFICATION

This year, the MOC Participatory Arts and Somatic Research Certification Program can be completed in one of two formats, the Recommended Format and the alternate Condensed Format.

The Recommended Format includes 3 core modules (scheduled between July 2008 through January 2009). This option is considered full-time and provides 13 weeks of study.

The Condensed Format is an alternate option available for students who cannot stay in the Bay Area through January, 2009 to complete Module 3. This format includes taking the first two modules (Module 1 and Module 2), plus taking the two intensive workshops (one in Embodiment in Education and one in Somatics of Performance). This format provides 12 weeks of study.

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Each module will begin with a half-day orientation on Sunday followed by full-time classes, Monday through Friday. Students who are enrolled in the full Participatory Arts Program (taking the Recommended or alternate Condensed Formats) will be considered "core" students and will receive a Participatory Arts Certification upon completion. We make every effort to tailor our program to meet the needs and schedules of in-coming students. Any student who sets up a contract to complete a course of study toward certification is considered a matriculated student.

MOC Participatory Arts Certification Program


Requirements for the Recommended Format

Module 1: Somatic Education and Massage Training
Module 2: The Socially Conscious Body: Process Arts and Professional Facilitation Training
     (includes weekend workshop in Theatre of the Oppressed)

PLUS two weekend workshops in Body-Mind Centering and in Laban Movement Analysis

Module 3: Improvisational Mind and Performance


Requirements for the Condensed Format

Module 1: Somatic Education and Massage Training
Module 2: The Socially Conscious Body: Process Arts and Professional Facilitation Training
     (includes weekend workshop in Theatre of the Oppressed)

PLUS two weekend workshops in Body-Mind Centering® and in Laban Movement Analysis

PLUS

Two intensive workshops:

Embodiment in Education: Professional Development for Dance/Movement Educators

and

Somatics of Presence: Performance Intensive

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Module Courses

Courses in Module 1: Somatic Education and Massage Module (5 weeks) include the following

• Experiential Anatomy
• Developmental Movement
• Alexander Technique
• Bartenieff Fundamentals
• Somatic Therapy based in the Hakomi Method
• Integration Class
• Authentic Movement
• two weeks of Massage Training (provides certification as a Certified Massage Technician as a Somatic Educator) CMT-SE

Courses in Module 2: The Socially Conscious Body Module (4 weeks) include the following:

• Liberation Voices
• Process Work
• Authentic Movement
• Theatre of the Oppressed
• Social Action Community Project

Courses in Module 3: Improvisational Mind and Performance Module (4 weeks) include the following:

• Vocal Motion
• Contact Improvisation
• Body-Mind Centering® & Improvisation
• Action Theatre
• Performance & Composition
• Authentic Movement

Individual workshops within each module are taught by MOC core faculty and guests, well-known artists and somatic practitioners. Individuals from the larger community are invited to join MOC Core Participatory Arts students by either attending single modules or taking individual workshops within modules. This provides a dynamic learning environment of students from many backgrounds.

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Intensive Workshops

In addition to the three core modules, this year we will offer three intensives.

The first intensive, Somatics in Education, will be from June 16 – June 20, 2008. The second intensive, Somatics of Presence: Performance, will be from August 18 – 29, 2008. The third intensive, Socially Conscious Body: Professional Facilitation Training will be from September 22 – October 3rd, 2008. These intensives serve as introductions to the application of somatics to the particular fields of education, performance, and facilitation.

Students following the Condensed Format will be required to take the education and performance intensives. (For students not in the Certification Program, please note that these two intensives need to be taken in their entirety. Individual classes are not available to be taken by those not registered for the full intensive).

The third intensive, Socially Conscious Body: Professional Facilitation Training, is offered as part of the Socially Conscious Body Module and is required of all Certification students, but can also be taken independently. This intensive applies somatics to professional facilitation processes.

Course topics in the Embodiment in Education Intensive Workshop include the following:

• The Mindful Body: Experiential Anatomy for Teens and Young Adults Plus
• The Body Politic: Touch and Movement as a Social Force
• Group Process Lab: Application
• Group Process Lab:Curriculum Development

Course topics in the Somatics of Presence: Performance Intensive Workshop include the following:

• BodyMind Centering ®
• Laban Movement Analysis
• Bartenieff Fundamentals ^TM
• Contact Improvisation
• Theater
• Performance Lab

(Note: This intensive will include a public performance on Thursday evening of the second week of classes).

Course topics in the Socially Conscious Body: Professional Facilitation Training include specific skills training; check back soon for further details.

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Additional Classes

In addition, the core curriculum of courses in each module is supported through additional classes that serve to build community within the group and provide opportunities for deeper integration of the core material. These support classes include the following:

• Orientation
• Heart Circles (weekly check-in and community building process)
• Singing & Movement
• Practice Labs
• Integration Classes
• Group Advising
• Authentic Movement

The support structure of the program deepens the learning process so that we connect our bodies, voices, hearts and minds as we become active participants in our own growth and well-being. These classes offer chances to explore the deeper layers of what we are learning within the context of a supportive community.

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Advising, Study Groups, and Homework

As part of the training, matriculated students receive personal feedback, observation, and advising from faculty. Students and faculty work together to build a foundation that helps students integrate the material that is being taught. Advising sessions also help students to focus and express their personal needs and goals. Required assignments, projects, and performance work support students in bringing more depth to class material. Homework is shared in class to encourage cooperative learning among students and to provide more diverse exposure to faculty insights.

Students are required to participate in study groups and do integrative homework assignments using themes from Participatory Arts. There will be seven homework assignments during the course of the certification program, as well as some mandatory reading assignments. Students taking individual modules only will have some mandatory reading, and occasional homework assignments.

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Projects and Performances

The Community Project in the Socially Conscious Body and the Final Performance in Improvisational Mind & Performance are key aspects of the educational experience and are required for the Participatory Arts certification. Students are encouraged to work together and practice newly gained skills during these events. These projects change year to year based on the interests of each group of students.

Moving On Center provides limited rehearsal space and a performance budget. Through application of participatory arts principles and methods, students discover how to engage an audience in their creative process. Exact fulfillment of these requirements varies depending on each student's desired focus.