Inspiration has a magical quality that is created through intention and ritual and expands through community engagement and support.

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is a cult classic. The book isn't just about art; it promises to empower you with confidence and cultivate essential habits to ignite your artistic spark. A transformative experience, if you will. Whether you’re a writer with writers block, a painter who wants to be a pianist, or project manager looking for any creative outlet besides making your team’s Notion look pretty, the book is said to have alchemized a path.

For 12 weeks we’ll be meeting to weave together inspiring exercises, reflective practices, and supportive community connections. This will be a safe and uplifting space where we'll discover more about ourselves and who we want to be.

For those local to NYC we’ll meet IRL at Index over drinks and snacks - some weeks there’ll be optional social hours afterwards. And for those from afar, or for weeks you may be traveling, an asynchronous zoom will be setup. Regardless of where you are we’ll host an online portal to hold space for sharing and inspiration.

At the end of our joint experience you’ll have the option to contribute a piece of work to an editorial compilation that may take shape in the form of a physical or digital zine - we’ll vibe that out together.

The book is structured around three main elements:

Morning Pages

A daily practice of writing three pages of stream-of-consciousness upon waking up. Designed to clear your mind, overcome creative blocks, and tap into your subconscious thoughts and ideas.

Artist's Dates

Weekly outings or activities that you schedule with yourself for yourself to nurture yourself. Think: a trip with a sketchpad to the botanical gardens, time set aside to read poetry, or even microdosing at The Met.

Weekly Readings and Tasks

THIS is where the magic happens, IMHO! Each week a set of specific concepts, tools, and tasks are introduced to guide you through self-discovery and creative exploration. These readings and tasks help you identify and overcome creative challenges, confront self-doubt, and foster a deeper connection with your artistic side.

Week 1 – Recovering a Sense of Safety

• Establish a safe and nurturing environment for creative exploration.
• Introduce the course and its objectives.
• Discuss key concepts from "The Artist's Way."
• Journaling: Reflect on personal creative fears and aspirations.

Week 2 – Recovering a Sense of Identity

• Define and embrace your unique artistic identity.
• Discuss the importance of self-identity in the creative process.
• Explore relevant essays from "The Artist's Way."
• Journaling: Explore personal boundaries, needs, and desires.

Week 3 – Recovering a Sense of Power

• Embrace your creative power and break free from limiting beliefs.
• Examine bursts of energy and emotional peaks in creative expression.
• Study the concept of open mindfulness and its application in art.

Week 4 – Recovering a Sense of Integrity

• Cultivate self-awareness and integrate newfound insights.
• Discuss the concept of integrity in creative work.
• Reflect on essays about self-definition.
• Journaling: Document personal introspections and revelations.

Week 5 – Recovering the Sense of Possibility

• Break free from self-imposed limitations and explore creative potential.
• Analyze personal payoffs and limitations in creativity.
• Discuss chapters about expanding possibilities.
• Journaling: Identify areas where you've limited your creative potential.

Week 6 – Recovering a Sense of Abundance

• Shift perspectives on creative abundance and address money-related blocks.
• Explore the relationship between creativity and financial abundance.
• Reflect on creative blocks related to money.
• Reflect on personal attitudes toward money and luxury.

Week 7 – Recovering a Sense of Connection

• Deepen creative receptivity and engage with personal dreams.
• Discuss the importance of receptivity and connection in creativity.
• Discuss essays about connecting with creative interests.
• Journaling: Document your genuine creative interests and dreams.

Week 8 – Recovering a Sense of Strength

• Overcome time-related obstacles and empower your creative journey.
• Explore time-related challenges and creative blocks.
• Reflect on sections addressing time management.
• Identify practical changes to make more time for creativity.

Week 9 – Recovering a Sense of Compassion

• Heal emotional wounds and cultivate self-compassion in the creative process.
• Discuss internal blocks to creativity and emotional difficulties.
• Explore healing and compassion.
• Journaling: Address past failures and embrace self-compassion.

Week 10 – Recovering a Sense of Self-Protection

• Identify and overcome toxic patterns that hinder creativity.
• Explore common obstacles and toxic patterns in creative work.
• Discuss strategies for protecting your creative process.
• Reflect on personal toxic patterns and ways to break free.

Week 11 – Recovering a Sense of Autonomy

• Nurture your artistic self and develop behaviors that enhance creativity.
• Discuss the importance of self-nurturing and autonomy in creativity.
• Reflect on nurturing the artist within.
• Journaling: Document behaviors that strengthen your creative journey.

Week 12 – Recovering a Sense of Faith

• Cultivate trust in the creative process and overcome last-minute doubts.
• Explore the relationship between creativity and trust.
• Set creative aims to bring with you into the new chapter of your creative process!

The Artist's Way: 30th Anniversary Edition (Anniversary)

Ella Fitch is a creative person living between Brooklyn, NY & Venice, Italy. Her passion is the art of socialization; bringing together creative communities and producing everything from documentaries to dinner parties, websites to experiential art events. You can grab copy of her recent book of poems at Index, view a list of awards she’s received on her website, and find her at her creative studio in Venice spring 2024.

Index scholarships are designed to benefit underrepresented groups, BIPOC members of our community, and those for whom the class price is not accessible. These need-based scholarships will go to the candidates who best demonstrate why they should be chosen for the free spot to our class based on the following criteria:

• Belong to groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the graphic design and creative industries
• Do not have jobs that would pay for these courses as professional development
• Cannot independently afford the class at list price
• Share our value of intentional community

The number of selected applicants chosen is subject to the discretion of Index and the instructor, but every course will select at least one. Apply for a scholarship here. Applications close September 13th.

We get that things come up, but we rely on headcounts in our programs to survive as a business. If you request a refund...

More than 4 weeks before class begins → 100% refund
More than 2 weeks before class begins → 50% refund
Fewer than 2 weeks before class begins → No refund

Thanks for understanding and for supporting our ability to provide cool offerings through your purchase.