Berridge Creative Semester

Welcome to Berridge! Berridge Creative Semester is a unique opportunity to live in a creative community led by professional artists. Based in an 18th-century chateau in Normandy, France, Creative Semester offers a blend of guided excursions, cultural experiences, artistic workshops and hands-on classes in all disciplines including Filmmaking, Writing, Studio Art, Photography, Theatre, Music and Design for Stage and Screen. Overview Berridge Creative Semester is for any student interested in exploring the arts, experiencing French culture and living in community. The program welcomes students of all levels of interest and experience from complete beginner to those already in pursuit of a specific creative career. You might be looking to apply to an arts college or film program, pick up a completely new skill, deepen your artistic abilities or just enjoy some right-brained travel before pursuing other passions. Wherever you are at on your artistic journey, we work with you to craft your gap time into an enriching and meaningful time abroad. The Arts at Creative Semester Each participant chooses an Artistic Concentration from Film, Theatre, Studio Art, Music or Design for Stage/Screen. You’ll have a range of classes in your chosen concentration, learning new skills and building a portfolio of work as you go. The program also offers a wide variety of workshops in everything from Acting for the Camera to Zine Making. Workshops are open to all participants regardless of their chosen concentration so you can develop your current skills or learn something completely new. You’ll have time and space to move projects from concept to completion, collaborate with peers and receive feedback from your faculty mentor. Faculty at Creative Semester Our faculty bring with them decades of experience as industry professionals. The faculty at Creative Semester are all working, professional artists who take time out from thriving creative careers to teach and mentor on the program. Learn from them first hand as you build skills, work on personal creative projects and collaborate with your peers. You’ll be assigned a personal mentor to guide you in your artistic practice and help you reflect on your experience and there are opportunities for internships, college advice and creative career counselling. Residential Life at Creative Semester Creative Semester is hosted between two beautiful, historical residences: Chateau le Mont Epinguet, and La Palmeraie in Normandy, France. Both represent a unique opportunity to live in community in a beautiful, historical residence in one of the most stunning regions of France. You can veiw a slide show on our residences here https://youtu.be/uwVxIgg1GL0 Excursions and Experiences Normandy, France is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions in all of Europe. Settled by the Romans, conquered by the Vikings and occupied by the Germans, Normandy has over two-thousand years of history to discover. The program includes a range of excursions including the D-Day Landing Sites, medieval Bayeux and Mont St Michel, a monastery over a thousand years old on a tidal island. A range of hands-on experiences such as breadmaking, visits to local cider makers and cheese makers and trips to local French markets enhance your experience of Normandy, inform your creative process and boost your French language skills. Program Highlights and Excursions Some of the places you will go include: Mont St Michel, s 900-year-old monetary on a tidal island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Paris on our 4-day artist insiders tour which includes all the key sites and many hidden gems D-Day Landing sites with a WWII historian including the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach Bricquebec, a local village with a 14th century castle ruin and weekly, bustling French market Cherbourg, a port city surrounded by a Napoleonic  fort and penultimate stop of the HMS Titanic Bayeux and the story of the Norman conquest including Caen, Bayeux Cathedral, the Bayeux tapestry Château des Ravalet, an 16th century chateau with a dark history surrounded by world-famous gardens The Nez de Jobourg, coastal cliffs rising 128 metres out of the sea and the best coastal hiking in Europe Coutances and Château Fort de Pirou, an 11th century castle boasting far reaching views from the parapets Granville, a costal town and home to the Musee Christian Dior Some of the things you will do include: A three-day Narrative Storytelling workshop to develop your writing and listening skills Build creative skills with professional artists including Filmmaking, Music, Acting and Studio Art (Painting, Drawing, Photography, Ceramics, Design) Learn to live the Norman way with good food, nature and time for reflection at the center of life Advance or jumpstart French language skills with immersion experiences Have time and space to work on artistic projects for portfolio use and personal growth Work in student teams to run our residence, organize activities and contribute to student life Paris Week The program includes a week-long trip to Paris hitting the must-see sites and exploring some hidden gems. Our Paris trip hits the must-see sites including the Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise, Notre Dame, Arc du Triomphe, Pantheon and Sacre Coeur. We’ll also explore some hidden gems such as the famous English bookstore Shakespeare and Co, Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, Musee Rodin and Musée de l’Orangerie which houses one of the finest collections of Impressionist paintings including Monet’s waterlily murals. We’ll spend an afternoon sketching or writing at Les Deux Magots, the cafe haunt of many great writers and you’ll have time to explore, shop or museum hop on your own. Discover where your creativity can take you! Immerse yourself in French history and culture while developing your creativity, and discovering opportunities for personal growth.  Creative Semester welcomes artists of all levels of experience and the program is taught entirely in English with optional French language learning. Connect with artists from around the world, cultivate new artistic perspectives and discover where your creativity can take you on your gap year! Jan 28 – April 1, 2023 Sept 20 – Dec 7th 2023 Full tuition is $16,500 Scholarships are available. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.