Expressive Arts

What is Expressive Arts?

Expressive Arts is the use of interdisciplinary arts, or what we call Intermodal Expressive Arts. We believe that by the intergration and use of the different arts modalities such as visual arts, poetry and writing, dance, theatre, and music in therapy or coaching, we can fully realize the capacity of the arts to heal, to self-transformed, build communities, and create better relationships.

Below are examples of the five disciplines of the arts and how they may be used in an expressive arts session:

Visual Arts (Drawing, painting, sculpting, arts and crafts)

Writing/Poetry (Journal writing, reflective writing, storytelling, poetry writing, haiku, found poems, spoken words, and prose)

Theatre (Acting, drama, mask making, and puppetry)

Dance (Body movement, authentic movement, embodiment, and dance)

Music (Musical instruments, voice, and sound)

With the use of the Expressive Arts methodology of low-skill and high-sensitivity we believe that everyone can create and live a more joyous and creative life. Expressive Arts is a process-oriented way of artmaking, allowing the artist, person, or the creator to be open to the surprises of artmaking other than being focused on the end result of the artwork. The beauty is not only found in the artwork, but also through the artmaking process!

Some of the early founders of Intermodal Expressive Arts include Paolo J. Knill and Shaun McNiff with much respect to the many others who have contributed significantly to the field of Intermodal Expressive Arts Therapy.