on disobedience

Don't misconstrue our name! In the School of Disobedience, we don't advocate disobedience to the external world, nor do we teach how to defy the system, disrespect rules, or act inappropriately in public. Not at all. Because that would be the simplistic solution!
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​In our school, disobedience is directed inward. You learn to defy yourself, to challenge old patterns, automatic responses, and societal or familial conditioning. You learn to disobey low self-confidence, break free from old habits, and challenge the inner voice that says "you can't do it." Because you can.

vision

In this world of brutality and aggression, the School of Disobedience wants to be a peaceful island of radical tenderness, softness, and care. To counterbalance the suspicion, hostility, and competition of the outside, we fill our universe with cooperation, kindness, and trust. Hope instead of defeatism. Friends instead of strangers. The unknown is tamed.

guidelines

This school operates within a simple framework characterized by the following principles:
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  • ​Professional focus:
    While our programs provide valuable opportunities for self-reflection and sharing, it's important to understand that these are creative, not therapeutic, spaces. Our focus is on artistic exploration, professional growth, and community building through art education, empowerment, and transformation. This distinction helps maintain a space where artistic ideas and creative processes can flourish without the burden of therapeutic expectations or interventions.
  • No explicit trauma discussion:
    Please also note that our space is not equipped for explicit discussions of trauma. We kindly ask all participants to be mindful and avoid over-sharing sensitive personal experiences. While we acknowledge and respect individual experiences, we focus on creating a space where everyone can express themselves without the responsibility of absorbing or managing each other's sadness, pain, or stress. This approach helps maintain a balanced and supportive environment for all.
  • Open-minded listening:
    Active listening is crucial, even when opinions differ. We encourage participants to engage with others’ viewpoints openly and respectfully, acknowledging that disagreement is a natural part of dialogue. By approaching conversations with an open mind, we foster a more inclusive and understanding environment, where diverse perspectives can coexist and contribute to collective growth.
  • Maintaining boundaries:
    Maintaining boundaries between personal emotions and the collective space is essential. Participants are encouraged to manage their strong feelings privately and avoid allowing them to dominate or disrupt the group dynamic. This separation ensures that individual reactions do not overshadow the group’s collaborative environment, maintaining a balanced and respectful space for everyone.
  • Managing strong emotions:
    If you find yourself feeling defensive or angry, it’s important to step away and gather your thoughts. This practice allows you to address your emotions privately and return to the group with a clearer perspective. Prioritizing personal emotional management helps maintain a constructive and respectful atmosphere for all participants.
  • Non-judgmental atmosphere:​
    Every comment, question, or idea is welcomed without the imposition of a right or wrong perspective. All thoughts, shared emotions, experiences, and testimonies are considered legitimate and valid as long as they are expressed with care, respect, and sensitivity towards others. This non-judgmental approach fosters an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
  • Encouraging participation:
    Let’s work together on this: if you typically dominate group conversations or tend to be more outgoing and expressive, let’s make an effort to create space for those who may struggle to speak up or need extra time to feel comfortable participating. We want to encourage everyone to share their unique voices, embracing their beauty and subversiveness.
  • Respectful attendance:
    While attendance is required and limited to missing no more than 2 sessions per module, you have the freedom to step back during sessions if needed. Trust your instincts and prioritize your emotional well-being. Feel free to step out of discussions, exercises, or tasks and rejoin when you're ready. Your safety and comfort are paramount.

on the move

The "School of Disobedience" operates as a "travelling school," characterized by its pop-up and nomadic nature, constantly on the move to foster local engagement and community care. Through collaborations with various artistic and cultural institutions such as museums, theaters, galleries, and residencies, we transform rigid structures into inclusive soft spaces of radical tenderness and empowerment.
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Our inaugural session took place in July 2014 in Yerevan, Armenia. Over the past years, we have hosted sessions at prominent venues including the Abbaye de Maubuisson Centre d'Art Contemporain (France), Art Cologne (Germany), Dance City Theatre Newcastle (UK), Le BAMP (Belgium), Autumn Festival (Hungary), ISBN Gallery (Hungary), A4 Theatre (Slovakia), Klara i Rosa (Serbia), and Institut Français (Sénégal), spanning durations from one day to six months.

results

Through a combination of theory and practice, the School of Disobedience empowers students to build confidence, cultivate creativity, and hone critical thinking skills. By providing support, knowledge, and tools, the school equips participants to resist, defy, protest, and take action. It fosters originality and out-of-the-box thinking within a non-oppressive and non-judgmental space, allowing students to freely express themselves. This includes questioning social norms, challenging conventions, and confronting stereotypes, and addressing rules, and systems. Moreover, participants are encouraged to overcome fears, push limits, and step outside their comfort zones safely and securely, without risking harm.

organization

  • School of Disobedience was founded by Anna Ádám, as part of her research and artistic practice.
  • ​The School of Disobedience is legally represented and administered by the performance company Gray Box.
  • The School of Disobedience reserves the right, at any time and without prior notice, to modify or replace all or part of the content of the Site and the services, programs, events offered through the Site with alternative content that is consistent with our values.​

cancellation & refund policy

  • Cancellations 4-12 months prior to the program start date: 50% refund.
  • Cancellations 0-3 months prior to the program start date: No refund.
  • Program cancellation by the School of Disobedience: 100% refund or alternative arrangement offered.
  • Withdrawal after the program has started: No refund for students who withdraw voluntarily after beginning the program.

staff

The classes at the "School of Disobedience" are facilitated by "unlearning facilitators" hailing from diverse educational and socio-cultural backgrounds. Artists, musicians, choreographers, dancers, designers, playwrights, researchers, theorists, and cultural workers from various fields such as sociology, ecology, anthropology, psychology, literature, and art are invited to lead workshops, offering participants an immersive and transdisciplinary experience. This approach opens them up to new ideas, viewpoints, forms, fields, aesthetics, and inspirations, stimulating their curiosity and encouraging them to identify and pursue their dreams. The classes foster numerous valuable human connections, physical and emotional interactions, intellectual and cultural exchanges, and friendships that often lead to further collaboration. Additionally, an online "alumni platform" enables participants to stay connected, reconnect with one another, establish a sustainable community, and cultivate an empathetic network of disobedient individuals.