We saw amazing growth at Incarnate 2022 toward empowering artists in long-term, deep engagement in communities. We'll be publishing those stories throughout this year. We're currently working to see satellite Incarnates born so artists can have access and be supported in their own cultures and communities. For this reason, no date is yet set for the next Incarnate.
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4 Month Course over 2 Locations
Incarnate is an artist’s journey of discipleship, theology and cross-cultural ministry.
- Grow in your skill as an artist or curator and understand the significance of your artistry in God’s eyes
- Learn the theology of creativity and arts in the kingdom of God
- Develop an approach for engaging the world through your creativity—particularly as a cross-cultural servant to the least-reached and marginalized
- Work alongside experienced cross-cultural artists practicing ministry in a variety of contexts
- Explore new ways to express, challenge and encourage yourself and others through art
Includes:
Two-month residency of coursework, studio time and community life.
Two-month placement collaborating with local artists alongside an OM team.
The following tracks are currently offered for artists and genres from any culture.
If you are not sure which track is right for you, please contact us. We are happy to give guidance.
Curator: producer, facilitator, researcher, community organizer ...
Dance: performance, choreography, modern, cultural ...
Theatre: director, playwright, designer, actor ...
Visual Arts: paint, sculpture, mixed media ...
Music: performance, composition, songwriting, arranging ...
At Incarnate, you can expect to experience:
Community Life
It can be inspiring to talk about community. It is quite another thing to live it! But there is no substitute for community when it comes to pursuing personal growth and living out God's love. So, we intentionally pursue healthy living in a Christ-centred community every single day for four months.
Through healthy rhythms of work and play, you will discover biblical principles and interpersonal skills for healthy relationship in community. We actively encourage each artist in the community to speak into one another’s lives and receive from one another. This, too, is a learned skill, best practiced in safe community. Our goal is to provide just that: a safe environment in which to practice Living Together Beautifully, so you can bring those skills to any community to which God sends you.
Formal Learning
At the core of the programme are three courses:
God’s Story
God's Story lays a biblical foundation for the arts and explores God’s core messages of character, creativity and purpose for the artist and the arts.
Your Story
Your Story picks up the intersection of God’s Story with our stories and how Christ is formed in us (Gal. 4:19). This course is framed using the literary device known as The Hero’s Journey; it includes the practice of spiritual disciplines and accountability.
10,000 Stories
10,000 Stories is presented by artist practitioners sharing experience and practical tools. It explores how our stories engage with one another in multi-cultural community. Classes will present material on culture, worldviews, issues relevant to cross-cultural ministry, and practical steps for collaborative ministry in cross-cultural contexts.
Topics are taught in a variety of teaching styles: lecture, discussion, collaborative activities and masterclasses. Classroom locations vary. We usually meet in a lecture hall, but don’t be surprised when we venture outside, into a cave, or a local museum.
Homework assignments are varied, thoughtful, and creative. Expect to see spiritual formation seep into your daily devotional time, conversations, studio, and Sabbath times.
Gathered Worship
Since worship is both the "fuel and the goal of missions,” we take time to make this connection, continually. How do we worship? Incarnate staff and artists come from a variety of backgrounds and styles, so we develop our own multi-cultural style as a community. You can expect variety in our weekly routine: corporate singing and praise, creative worship with visual arts and dancing, reflective worship with lectio, cinema and visio divina, thanksgiving and celebration, intercession, study and prayer, in communion and Sabbath rest. In creative worship, we grow in the habit of infusing our craft into worship. As one of our former artists wrote, “God delights in our art as we do it with a spirit of excellence and a heart of worship. Our art can be worship, not just a tool.”
How do you empower a vibrant community of Jesus followers among the least-reached through worship? You will practice exactly that as you learn and lead one another in worship while exploring church planting techniques for biblical community.
Studio Time
Incarnate does not focus on teaching artistic technique. But excellence is key to us, and invariably, artists leave Incarnate stronger artistically than when they came. Why? Several hours are set aside each day for studio time; artists can hone artistic skills, learn from one another, and expand their creativity, in an environment of honest, constructive critique. Under the supervision of creative mentors, artists will be challenged to stretch into new techniques and arenas, and to develop their unique voices, incorporating new insights. Creative assignments are sometimes individual, sometimes collaborative, and will always seek to expand your horizons.
Artists in Residence
In addition to the experienced staff, we invite practicing artists with years of ministry experience to live and create alongside you, hold masterclasses on their craft, and mentor you as you explore new ideas and processes.
For your entire Incarnate journey, you will have an Incarnate Coach to process with you the experience and how to apply it to your context at home.
Integrated Outreach
Intentional, culturally sensitive outreach is part of the Incarnate program. Come prepared to do outreach together and in collaboration with OM and local churches.
During the residential portion, we like to bring artists out of the ‘Incarnate bubble’ and into the everyday lives of the local people. Some of this will happen on campus, as we live in community with the staff of our hosting facility. Other times it will be with neighbors, in local cafés, at the supermarket or laundromat. Activities intentionally include the surrounding community.
During the placement portion, artists are sent out to different international locations for the second half of the programme to put into practice what they are learning and experiencing.
You will engage deeply and meaningfully with your host community. You will be mentored through the process as you respond personally and creatively to real hopes and needs in least-reached areas. Learning local art forms and collaborating with local artists, you will design and implement creative community projects among the least-reached in partnership with local OM staff.
Fun
It is hard not to have fun when surrounded by artists from all over the world who love Jesus, life, and creating. From welcoming neighbours, local markets, and delicious cuisine, there is a world to explore right at our doorstep and further afield. We also like to find excuses to celebrate – from birthdays to the arrival of the weekend or warmer weather. Local celebrations and holidays offer unique opportunities to mix with the local culture, learn, and reflect Jesus. We encourage any artist who has the gift of fun to help us! For example, in past Incarnates, we have had an Irish ceili dance, American folk dancing, a Chinese New Year celebration, and Saturday morning hip hop classes!
Dates:
Eight weeks residency
Eight weeks placement in various locations
Location:
Residency: TBD
Placement: TBD
Cost:
Plan for tuition, flights, and visas.
For updated tuition cost, contact us.
Deadline:
Some countries require earlier deadlines, so don’t wait to apply!
Accommodation:
You will be living in community with the artists and trainers. You will share a room with one or two other people. For placement, you will be hosted by an OM team in a different country where you will be living in community with both Incarnate and OM team members in an OM facility. Food: All meals are included and will include a variety of international foods. Please advise of any dietary restrictions and allergies.
Travel:
With advice from the OM office in your country, you will arrange for your own flights to both the residential and placement portions of Incarnate. Once accepted we will finalise pick up arrangements with you from the nearby airport or train station.
Health:
Participants should be in good health and advise us of any ongoing medical conditions or treatment. Short-term international medical insurance is recommended.
Requirements
Skilled in your art form. Incarnate does not focus on teaching technique. Whether formally or informally trained, you will need a level of skill in your work that gives you the freedom to explore new ideas and processes.
Serious about personal growth in your relationship with God. Accountability, spiritual disciplines, and a heart open to challenges and growth are required.
Have a passion for global missions through the arts and a desire to honor other cultures. Readiness to grow in your approach to ministry and learn how to prioritize your strategy based on local community needs.
Love learning and enjoy working with other people. Artistic collaboration with artists from a variety of backgrounds and cultures is a feature of Incarnate. This requires humility and a willingness to learn from others as well as a respect for local leadership.
Flexible and willing to be creative in a new environment. Adaptability is a must as you create in new ways, adapt to changing environments, and collaborate with different people.
Intermediate level of English. The assignments, community life, and outreaches will require you to speak English in a multicultural environment. However, we want to be as flexible as possible. We can help you assess your level during the application process.
Audition/Portfolio
As part of the application process, you will be asked to submit a portfolio/audition, which will then be assessed by a jury in your artistic discipline. We seek artists who are proficient and dedicated to their craft. We also desire artists who want to explore how their art intersects with their Christian faith and how their artistic gifts can bring joy and hope to others. More information will be provided upon application.
CONTACT
We hope to see you at Incarnate! If you have any further questions, please CONTACT US.
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