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Gap@The Chateau

IGNITE

ARTS EXPLORATION

Session 1: Nov 1st - Dec 13th, 2021

Session 2: Jan 17th - Feb 27th, 2022

Chateau le Mont Epinguet

Normandy, France

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Fire up your creativity

Explore 20 different arts and cultivate over 120 arts-based skills in just 6 weeks. Live in an 18th century French chateau, develop proficiency in a chosen artistic discipline and discover new creative outlets. 

WELCOME

TO IGNITE

IGNITE is an arts-based experiential learning program led by professional artists.

 

The program is based at the Chateau le Mont Epinguet in beautiful Normandy, France and offers a unique opportunity to live in a historical residence set within one of Europe's most stunning regions. 

 

Each week offers a different art focus around which a variety of workshops and excursions will be offered. There are over 20 different arts to be explored on the program and you can specialize in Acting, Studio Art, Music, Film or Writing. The program offers both group and independent learning in a supportive environment and full day excursions to the best sites in the region.

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IGNITE

STUDENTS

Ignite welcomes every level of experience and interest.

 

You might be a dedicated artist wanting to go more deeply into your discipline or  a solid “left brainer” wanting to do something completely different.  You can use your time on Ignite for valuable career exploration, resume building, personal development and cultural enrichment.  Whatever you are looking to accomplish, we work with each student to make their gap time with us enriching, productive and meaningful.

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All artists welcome

Curious

I haven't had as much time as I'd like to explore the arts. I want to get more creative and see what lights up for me.

Adventurous

This will be a whole new thing for me. I'm nervous but want to try something different and meet new people. 

Enthusiastic

I’ve explored some creative avenues and want to do more. I'm excited to jump in, get creative and have fun. 

Dedicated

I’m a dedicated artist who lives for my craft. I want to deepen my artistic practice and learn from industry professionals.

How the program works

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WEEKS

THE MAP

Each week has a different arts focus:

THE ART OF BEING FRENCH
Culture, History, Language
CULINARY ARTS
Cooking, Nutrition, Gastronomy
LITERARY ARTS
Writing, Literature, Storytelling
PERFORMING ARTS
Acting, Music, Dance
IMAGE ARTS
Film and Photography 
STUDIO ARTS
Painting, Drawing, Sculpture

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MORNINGS

BROAD EXPLORATIONS

Mornings offer workshops around the art focus of that week. You might:

  • Tour the D-Day landing sites

  • Master the perfect omelet

  • Debate French philosophy

  • Paint in Monet's garden

  • Join an Improv class

  • Try music composition

  • Master great storytelling

  • Learn Digital Filmmaking

  • Improve life drawing skills

  • Start a travel blog

  • Learn to meditate

  • Hike the Cotentin Peninsula

  • Work on a cider making farm

  • Set up a t-shirt design business 

  • Order lunch in perfect French

  • Perform in a Shakespeare play

  • Work to save a historic building

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AFTERNOONS

DEEP DIVING

Afternoons are for your area of specialization:

ACTING
Improve acting technique from Shakespeare to On Camera
FILMMAKING
Make a professional quality short from concept to premiere
WRITING
Learn Screenwriting, start a novel or study Journalism
STUDIO ART
Develop your Painting, Drawing, Photography or Graphic Design
MUSIC
Perform and record your music, learn composition or score a film

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WEEKENDS

VENTURE IN

Weekends are for free time, outdoor activities or working on projects.

We have two arts weekends offering optional workshops:

PROFESSIONAL CRAFT
Professional artisans visit us to show you how to work with textiles, wood and metal
CONTEMPLATIVE ARTS
Learn meditation, mindfulness and stress reduction skills

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THE BERRIDGE

EXPERIENCE

Berridge is a supportive community that offers group and independent learning.

 

Although our programs are structured, we encourage a great deal of autonomy within that structure. You’ll set your own goals, manage your time and participation and care for your shared living quarters just as you would at college. Berridge faculty live on site and you'll be assigned a personal mentor to help you make the most of your time with us. 

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At a Glance

Programs

IGNITE ARTS EXPLORATION

Session 1: Nov 1st - Dec 13th, 2021

Session 2: Jan 17th - Feb 27th, 2022

Tuition

$8475 USD not including airfare

Admissions

Open to any students between the ages of  18 - 22 of all levels of experience.  Requires an online application.

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available for this program.

Majors

Acting, Film, Writing, Studio Art, Music. You can take up to two majors, each taught in three week blocks. If you would like to specialize you can take the same major twice.

6 weeks x 20 arts   = 120+ arts-based   skills

Acrylic Painting

Ballroom Dancing

Body Confidence

Business Concepts

Charcoal Drawing

Cheese Making

Cinematography

Coastal Hiking

Color Theory

Conflict Resolution

Culinary Skills

Cultural Competency

Digital Media

Directing

Dramaturgy

Event Planning

French Conversation

Global Citizenship

Historic Conservation

Improvisation

Journalism

Life Drawing

Lighting Design

Location Scouting

Meditation

Music Composition

Organic Gardening

Playwriting

Project Management

Sea Swimming

Shakespearean Acting

Sound Mixing

Storytelling

Tap Dance

Travel Writing

WWII History

DISCOVER MORE...

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EXCURSIONS

FURTHER AFIELD

There are six full day excursions, one each week. 

See the best sites in Normandy including D-Day Landing Beaches, Coutances, the medieval town of Bayeux, the city of Cherbourg and Mont St Michel, a thousand-year-old monastery atop a tidal island. You’ll enjoy lunches out at cafes, tours of bakeries, cider and cheese makers, châteaus and gardens, coastal hiking in Carteret and the market at Bricquebec, a medieval village with a castle dating back to the 11th century.

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CHATEAU

LE MONT EPINGUET

Our program is hosted at Chateau le Mont Epinguet, an 18th century chateau in the heart of Normandy.

Built in 1751 by Count Mondesir, the chateau is the highest landmark on the Cotentin Peninsula. It has housed a nephew of the Pope, a French Admiral and served as German command in WWII. In 1991, it was bought by the Berridge Family. The château sits on 5 acres and we have exclusive use of the whole property. We have a live-in chef who prepares home-cooked meals daily including fresh bread and pastries are delivered from the local bakery. Visit the château website

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FRENCH

LANGUAGE ARTS

French language classes are available for beginner or advanced French speakers. 

 

Improve reading, writing and conversational French on excursions and through the French-only speaking lounge at the château. Complete beginners through advanced students are welcome. Please note that all of the artistic teaching at Berridge is in English and French language classes are optional.

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FACULTY

AT BERRIDGE

Berridge faculty bring with them decades of experience as working, industry professionals.

 

They are more than teachers, they are passionate artists, enthusiastic collaborators and nurturing mentors. 

Read more about our faculty or meet us at an Info Session.

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