The Creativity Workshop

Using the Tools of Creative Writing, Memoir, Art, Photography, Storytelling and Mindfulness


Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

People from all walks of life and professions, all ages, and many different countries. Our participants include educators, writers, business people, artists of all kinds, homemakers, psychologists, IT people, health professionals, scientists, and university students.
Shelley Berc and Alejandro Fogel or our staff of certified Creativity Workshop teachers. Berc and Fogel have trained our select group of instructors. In addition, they have successfully worked in creative fields for many years. For their bios please click here.
They meet for 3 to 4 hours each day depending on the workshop.
The Creativity Workshop is taught in English.
No. You can write in your mother tongue – it is actually more beneficial to do so. Also, for non-native speakers, it is more important to comprehend English than to speak it well.
Yes, if you bring a .
Yes, we offer certificates upon request at the end of the workshop.
Yes! People in life transitions (job changes, life changes, retirement) often take The Creativity Workshop because it teaches new and innovative ways to reinvent one’s self or simply to experience life more fully. Many of our participants who are going through changes say that they are taking the workshop because they finally have the time and energy to explore their creativity. Combining a Creativity Workshop with travel to a foreign location is very attractive to people who are curious and explorative in nature, but don’t want a physically demanding workshop.
The basic structure stays the same but there are some variations in exercises that involve the location the workshop is given in.
Not at all. The aim of The Creativity Workshop is to help people use drawing and writing to expand their creativity. Writing and drawing are tools to that end, not techniques to master drawing and writing. There are no group critiques and the emphasis is on the pleasure of self expression.
We do not plan excursions. Our assistant and your hotel will have good information on various local travel agents and tours. Many participants get to know each other in class and do sightseeing together.
You can now get up to 3 Graduate level credits or professional CEUs (Continuing Education Units) from the University of the Pacific’s Professional Development Programs after taking one of our Creativity Workshops. See our CEU page for more information:
https://creativityworkshop.com/graduate-credits-and-ceus.html
Yes. Many people take The Creativity Workshop several times and find each experience different and inspiring.
Many people come to the workshop on their own but many also attend with fellow colleagues, friends, or family members. Each workshop is a mix of people who come alone (about 70%) and people who attend together. If you attend with a friend or family member, each of you will receive a $100 discount.
We don’t organize any outside activities because we prefer natural, impromptu experiences for participants when they have free time. However, we have several group exercises that often lead to participants getting together outside of class. Many share meals and do sightseeing together. Past participants often comment on the wonderful global diversity of our groups and the friendships they have made while taking The Creativity Workshop.
For updated information please go to our Pricing page.
The payment schedule varies depending on the workshop. You
will find a payment schedule at the bottom of each individual
workshop’s page.
For individuals using The Creativity Workshop for professional development, the workshop (and travel to it) is considered tax deductible under most circumstances. The best thing is to check with your accountant.
For US citizens: you need a valid Passport for all our Workshops outside the United States. You do not need a Visa to any of our workshop locations in Europe.
For non-US citizens: Please check with the embassy of the workshop location in your country of origin.
It depends on location. We tell people to expect to spend $40 to $60 per day in general. If you do a lot of picnic-in and use local delis, you can expect to spend less.
Our Workshops in New York are handicapped accessible. Hotels outside the United States may not have the same amenities as U.S. hotels, such as elevators and handicapped rooms. If you have concerns about walking, the availability of elevators or need special accommodations, the Workshops located in the U.S. may be more appropriate.
Casual comfortable attire, good walking shoes. Travel light. This is the most important thing. If you are missing an article of clothing, you can always buy it there. Hand washable clothes are a good idea, as are natural, breathable materials such as cottons and linens. Shorts and pants are popular. Bring a light sweater for the evenings.
If possible, bring a suitcase with rollers. Make sure you bring any medications or supplements you are taking – they may not be easy to get away from home.
We like the Lonely Planet and Rough Guides. Lonely Planet does a good job focusing on the various cities, islands, and provinces in which we hold our Workshops. You can also get a book app for your phone or tablet.
Travel insurance is highly recommended when you take a trip. It can cover flight cancellations, lost luggage, medical emergencies or natural disasters.
Consumer Reports recommend the online insurance broker Trip Insurance Store: tripinsurancestore.com
Patricia Lancaster
Ph.D. Dean Emerita of the Hamilton Holt School and Professor Emerita of French, Rollins College, FL
“A perfect blend of relaxation and stimulation. The assignments fostered discovery and creativity, yet left us plenty of time to enjoy the wonders o...
Stephanie Satie
Actress/Playwright, Los Angeles, CA
“The Workshop was a wonderful celebration of our individual possibilities. I can’t wait to take it again. It is food for life.”
Chandani Lokuge
Author, Director, Centre for Postcolonial Writing, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
“The Creativity Workshop is a practical workshop that inspires. The imaginative journey into memories, the symbolic associations between memory and ...