Catch the Fire

An Art-Full Guide to Unleashing the Creative Power of Youth, Adults and Communities by Peggy Taylor & Charlie Murphy

Catch The Fire

“The arts are powerful tools for change. Catch the Fire is full of living examples of how the arts enable us to connect deeply with our own humanity across generations and cultures, while providing us practical tools that can transform us, our communities, and the world around us. (PYE power!)” 
-PETER GABRIEL, musician

“We need to do a better job of engaging future generations. Catch the Fire gives us hope for a future where young people and all of us are better able to access our humanity and creatively respond to the challenges we face. I encourage anyone who seeks to work across generations to build a more compassionate and empowered world to read this book.” 
-BISHOP DESMOND TUTU, South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop.

Community, youth, non-profit, education, entrepreneurial, and religious organizations all have exciting ambitions, but they often lack the creative skills to impact people on a deep level. Catch the Fire is a complete guide to using arts and empowerment techniques to bring greater vitality and depth to working with groups of youth or adults. Based on the premise that you don’t have to be a professional artist to use the arts in your work, this unique book invites group leaders into the realm of creativity-based facilitation, regardless of previous experience.

Including over 100 stimulating activities incorporating storytelling, theater, writing, visual arts, music, and movement, this detailed guide uses the Creative Community Model to:

-Bridge gaps and unite people across generations and cultures
-Build vibrant, creative learning communities with youth and/or adults
-Fully engage participants and volunteers
-Develop social and emotional intelligence
-Take a deeper, more meaningful approach to learning.

Drawing on nearly two decades of experience providing transformative programs to empower youth and adults across North America and around the world, Catch the Fire is a powerful and valuable resource and a much-needed reminder that art is for everyone!