Creatives and Cultural Professionals–

Gain Essential Ecoliteracy in just 7 weeks

Led by ecological (ecosocial) artist Dr. Cathy Fitzgerald (Ireland) along with ecophilosopher Dr. Nikos Patedakis (California)

through the popular, self-paced, fully guided HAUMEA ECOLITERACY ONLINE course.

You will learn why ecoliteracy and ecophilosophy can assist arts practitioners and professionals in developing impactful: creative practices, exhibitions, events, community art programs, art courses, or help you develop insightful cultural leadership for these urgent times.

Each week participants will have access to video lessons that can be engaged independently. There will be weekly group meetings via Zoom for valuable peer learning and networking with other creative workers across the world.

Addressing an urgent new priority for the creative sector, this is an empowering introduction to ecological literacy – ecoliteracy –

A supportive, SELF-PACED in-depth online course over a 7-week period, where you can learn from home in your own time. You will join a small cohort (max. 20 participants) from around the world for collective, inspiring learning.

COURSE DETAILS: Our instructors offer a diverse set of perspectives that will empower your understanding of creativity for these urgent times.

We share insights from leading voices in ecophilosophy and ethics, ecopsychology, environmental science, economics and activism, ecosocial art practice, and from the world's wisdom traditions.

We introduce you to nourishing practices for personal and planetary wellbeing, and help you explore expansive ecological thinking, practices and frameworks, including the Earth Charter and the UN Sustainability Development Goals.
Cathy Fitzgerald and Nikos Patedakis

Who is this course for?

This course is for creative practitioners and cultural professionals who are seeking a comprehensive foundation in ecological knowledge for their lives, their creative practice, their cultural work, teaching or curating.

As prioritised in UNESCO's 2021 aim for lifelong, lifewide learning for a sustainable and just world, Haumea courses offer transformative learning, to empower those working in any creative field:

  • Visual arts, music, poetry and literature, film, community art, social art practice, theatre, dance/bodyworkers, curators, art educators and administrators and particularly cultural programmers and cultural policy writers.

  • Haumea courses best suit mid-career creative workers and cultural professionals who are looking to bring a deeper understanding of ecoliteracy into their lives, creativity and work experienced creative practitioners, art educators, community artists, those with degree and postgraduate art qualifications - we have had doctoral level arts practitioners who have benefitted from this course please see the Haumea course testimonial page to gauge others' opinions of this course.

  • PLEASE NOTE: this course is NOT for experienced ecological art practitioners who will already be familiar with introductory ecoliteracy course material. This course is also not a course about making an environmental-themed artwork, NOR is it a course that reviews others' ecoart work in depth. Instead, the primary focus is to offer you accessible knowledge and resources to enable you to confidently frame and communicate your creative work in a ecological context that is relevant to your situation and place.

WHY ARE ECOLOGICAL INSIGHTS CHALLENGING FOR THE CREATIVE SECTOR?

The benefits of joining the Haumea Essential Ecoliteracy course:

  • GET THE BIG PICTURE OVERVIEW

    Ecoliteracy is a big topic! It encompasses ecologically expansive understanding and integrated ecosocial values, not currently prioritised in the creative sector, but which are needed to help modern society shift toward sustainable and equitable living. Informed creativity has the immense social power to inspire others to embrace a more beautiful, just and sustainable culture.

  • POSITION YOUR WORK

    When you become fluent with the ecological mind-shift, language, concepts, frameworks and practices–that are vital to communicate and advance a life-sustaining culture these will become valuable if you or your cultural institution wish to secure funding for creative aesthetic and community engagement opportunities. Some past learners have been successful in gaining funding for ecological creative endeavours.

  • UNDERSTAND CREATIVE-LED COLLABORATIVE POTENTIAL

    From our course, you will understand why skilfully collaborating and co-creating with with others not in the art world (scientists, environmental experts, teachers and local knowledge holders) advances inclusive sustainability engagement across society.

COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE:

Duration: 7 weeks. Time Commitment: 2-6 hours/week.

When the course starts you will gain access to the WELCOME ORIENTATION MODULE.

Each week a new module is released.

The Heart of Haumea Ecoversity Courses is joining in with others for collective learning in Weekly Online Group ZOOM Meetings. You are, however, also very welcome to take this course, without joining the weekly live meetings.

  • Course opens on 17 JAN. 2023. You will be sent an email on how to logon to the course and access the Orientation module.

    Tues 24 JAN: ORIENTATION The first 'Getting to you know you' Live Group Zoom Meeting is at 7 pm Irish / UK time.

  • 25 JAN: MODULE 1 RELEASED UNDERSTANDING 'THE BIG PICTURE' - WHY EVERYTHING HAS TO CHANGE AND WHY CREATIVITY CAN HELP

    Tues 31 JAN: ZOOM MEETING FOR MODULE 1

  • 1 FEB: MODULE 2 RELEASED PSYCHOSOCIAL & PHYSICAL SUPPORTS & PRACTICES (LEARN WAYS TO DEAL WITH OVERWHELM, AVOID BURNOUT AND MAINTAIN YOUR SENSE OF HUMOUR)

    Tues 7 FEB: ZOOM MEETING FOR MODULE 2

  • 8 FEB. – MODULE 3 RELEASED: NAVIGATING ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE WITH EASE, UNDERSTAND ANTHROPOCENE & SYMBIOCENE FRAMEWORKS, and WHY & HOW TO EMPLOY THE UN SDGs

    Tues 14 FEB: ZOOM MEETING FOR MODULE 3

  • 15 FEB.– MODULE 4 RELEASED EXPANDED EARTH ETHICS – DEVELOP MORAL REASONING TO GUIDE YOUR WORK; UNDERSTAND THE EARTH CHARTER, & DEVELOPING ECOCIDE LAW

    Tues 21 FEB: ZOOM MEETING FOR MODULE 4

  • 22 FEB. – MODULE 5 RELEASED EXPLORING HOW OTHERS’ DEVELOP EXPANDED ECOLOGICAL ART PRACTISES

    Tues 28 FEB: ZOOM MEETING FOR MODULE 5

  • 1. MAR– MODULE 6 RELEASED BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER. APPLYING YOUR ECOLITERACY LEARNING TO TELL YOUR STORY

    Invitation to optional end-of-course final assignment to apply learning to your work

    Tues 7 MAR: ZOOM MEETING FOR MODULE 6.

  • Tues 14. MAR FINAL GROUP MEETING - WEEK 7

    A TIME TO SHARE WORK, REFLECT AND SAY FAREWELL

What people say

about learning with Cathy and Nikos

“I am quite amazed at how much I loved the Haumea course. I didn’t believe that an online course could have such an impact on my life and art. I felt like I landed in ‘my tribe’…ecosocial artists engaging with creativity and climate action with compassion, kindness and commitment.

I loved the weekly sessions and looked forward to going through the amazing material Cathy sent us every week. I was so impressed at how she and Nikos engaged and gave feedback.

I am so impressed with Cathy’s integrity, focus and commitment to this amazing planet, with which we live.

I walk the land where we live with a renewed sense of purpose.

I have just finished the course and miss it. I feel that Cathy and Nikos walk the talk and have so much to share. I am very grateful for the experience.”

Lisa Fingleton: artist, filmmaker, grower, Co. Kerry, Ireland

“The Haumea online ecoliteracy course provides participants with an essential toolkit to help them assemble a framework, within which to situate and develop their own eco-creative practices. Students are introduced to a wonderfully diverse range of perspectives, ranging from the philosophical to the psychological, from the sociological to the scientific, and how these distinct fields all intersect, impact and impinge upon current ecological concerns as well as exploring the ways in which they can help inform art practices.

All this material, which may seem daunting at first, is presented in an easy-to-follow format, making it both accessible and engaging.

Cathy is a compassionate and accomplished guide, leading her students through eco-literary forests of thought with both clarity and deftness.

The weekly online discussions were also something to look forward to. They were hugely helpful and cordial, fostering a warm and intimate sense of community among the participants. It made the course much more participatory, engaging, and, most importantly, enjoyable. I have really missed these group discussions since completing the course.

I heartily recommend this course to anyone interested in learning more about the relationships between art and ecology.”

medieval Irish scholar, Ireland

Fearghal Duffy

“It is easy to recommend Cathy’s own work, and her education. Her knowledge on disparate topics, and her willingness to share this knowledge, are tremendous. Every participant brought something different: writers, artists, philosophers all shared their perspectives as part of the course.

Cathy’s way is to connect the people and the ideas. Just as in her own art, where she is growing a forest, in her teaching she draws together the disparate roots, branches, leaves, seeds and flowers, leaving a healthy forest to flourish for itself.

I am very grateful.”

Shane Finan - Visual Artist, Ireland

“In these crucial times in history, this innovative and artistic community is of profound importance. I experience the course to provide both scientific knowledge on the current shape and state of things, and creative inspiration, on how artistry can be used as a strong environmental voice.

The course presents a very holistic approach to the processing and set of actions one can take, to help reshape the correlation between us and the natural world.

So if you ever get the opportunity to participate in one of her courses, workshops or any kind of collaboration, simply soak up her passion and competence, and know, that you will be enriched!”

Katinka Igelberg - photographer, poet, writer, Sweden

“I had the pleasure and honour of participating in Cathy’s first 6-week Online Ecoliteracy course. I felt immersed in a process that was deeply informed and considered with a group that had a wealth of different experiences. I felt the learning environment was clearly held by Cathy’s inclusive, knowledgable and articulate approach alongside her collaborators.

As a dance artist, I feel the course gives me clear guidance as to other areas, for example, science and ethics, that can inform how I articulate my work and its value.

I now feel that I will be able to take informed action on climate and biodiversity issues in a way that relates to my values and creative practice.

Thanks, Cathy!”

Siobhán Ní Dhuinnín - dance artist, Ireland

“The course opened up my practice to the huge potentials that exist outside the confining definitions of art world art practices.

It gave me language and understanding of how to define what work I’d like to do through my practice. It gave me a concise network of information that would have taken me years to amass myself.

When I realised that my ‘living life’ is really my art practice.. how to live well in these times and to share this.

This thought has allowed me to totally reframe what I hope to do.”

Yvanna Greene: postgrad visual artist | researcher, Dublin

FAQ's

answers to your questions below

  • How much time will this take?

    2-6 hours per week. A total of 7 weeks of content, connecting and sharing. It is a self-paced course – you can dive deep or skim the surface and still find great benefit.

    EVERY TUESDAY (7 PM IRISH/UK TIME) are when the course instructors host the live group learning sessions. You will get so much more out of the course by joining us for the weekly Live Group Meetings—that is when the learning will really come alive, and you will get a chance to meet new friends and colleagues who can expand the ecology of mind, bringing mutual insight and inspiration.

    We highly recommend setting aside a specific time each week, after new material becomes available each WEDNESDAY, to go through the weekly module lesson.

    The course material is also available to access for TWO months after the course ends.

  • What if I'm busy?

    You will be notified each week by email when next week's module lesson is available.

    You will have a week to view videos, read and listen to other resources and time to complete short and simple exercises. That means there is plenty of time to do your homework and to prepare yourself for the Live Group Meetings a week later!

    The course material is also available to access for TWO months after the course ends.

  • What do I need?

    An Internet connection, and a computer with a camera and audio to join the online (Zoom) meetings and to view the course video material. It is not advised to use a mobile phone to take this course.

    Also, your presence and commitment. You will gain more if you participate more. The group meetings, where we can listen and hear how others interpret the learnings, are the special magic sauce for appreciating the value of ecoliteracy. We tend to develop an ecology of mind among participants as we move through the weeks.

    Please note, 'The Essential Ecoliteracy' course can be taken without joining the weekly live Zoom meetings but the experience is somewhat reduced.

  • What technology platforms will we use?

    Each weekly module contains videos, reading resources, practices and occasional, optional written exercises.

    The weekly LIVE Group meeting will be done over Zoom.

    A supplementary private Soundcloud playlist complements each week's module for learning on the go.

    Topic sharing will happen in a private ONLINE group that respects your data. A weekly email will be sent to keep you up to speed.

    At the end of the course, you can submit a short piece of writing that incorporates some of the course ideas– either an artist's statement, ideas in process, creative writing etc., and receive written feedback from the course instructors.

  • What if the course doesn't suit me?

    Because we want you to be completely happy with your decision, we will let you test-drive and evaluate the Haumea Essential Ecoliteracy course for 14 days. Enroll today.

    If the course doesn’t suit, let us know before the 14 days are up and we'll return 100% of your money back—no questions asked (although because this is a unique course, we'd really love feedback).

  • Is remote learning good value?

    Our Haumea ECOVERSITY course tuition fees are much lower than what you would have to pay at a traditional educational institute—if you could find such courses elsewhere. Our students have found this material to be both rare and valuable.

    As with any good educational experience, you will get tremendous benefits from our expertise.

    Education is not a matter of information exchange. From that more limited perspective, our courses contain a great deal of information that would require a lot of time and many headaches for you to gather alone. But, more than that, we offer an experience—not only our experience of working with these ways of knowing, being, living, loving, and creating, but also our experience at fostering insight and inspiration.

    You will find our courses an empowering investment in yourself and your creative work.

  • I live in a different timezone - advice to join the weekly LIVE group meetings

    Check the time of the Live Group Meeting in your region– see worldtimebuddy.com.

    Please check to make sure the Live Group Meeting time will work for you, before you book!

Haumea Ecoversity values are inspired by:

Haumea is Earth Goddess of fire and creation in the Pacific, who across voyaging and time, became the male God of harvest, in Aotearoa New Zealand, where Cathy Fitzgerald was born.


Haumea is also the first Indigenous name given to a dwarf planet discovered in our solar system in 2004.

Some say the discovery of Haumea corresponds to awakening planetary ecological consciousness and a renewed interest in other non-Western cultures’ more life-sustaining world views.