Introduction to permaculture

What is it?

This is a short course for artists and cultural workers (in Knowsley, St Helens and the wider Liverpool city region), who want new ways of thinking about how they make work, collaborate with others, and respond to the world we’re living in.

You don’t need any prior knowledge of permaculture. This course starts from where you are and connects ideas directly to creative practice, projects and organisations.

It’s led by Liz Postlethwaite, a permaculture designer and creative practitioner, and is certified by the Permaculture Association.

What is permaculture design?

Permaculture is a way of designing projects, systems and ways of working so that they:

• care for people

• care for the earth

• are fair, and regenerative over time

In this course, permaculture is explored as a creative thinking tool, not as gardening or land-based practice (although this might be part of your own artistic practice).

Who is it for?

Liverpool-city region based people working in the cultural / creative sector who would like to explore how permaculture design could help to develop and deepen their creative practice. Previous participants of Liz’s courses have included visual artists, theatre designers, graphic designers, architects, academics, researchers, producers, curators, illustrators and photographers.

How much does it cost?

Freelancer: £10
Micro organisation (up to 4 staff): £25
Small organisation (up to 10 staff): £45
Large organisation (over 10 staff): £65

If you wish to attend and you are struggling with costs, please contact us on info@heartofglassorg.uk subject line “Intro to permaculture"

Certification

The course is certified by The Permaculture Association. To receive the certificate, there is a requirement to attend the in-person session and at least one of the two online sessions.

Why is Heart of Glass offering this course?

Permaculture design offers a practical framework that closely aligns with our values as we’ve discovered through working with Liz over the past few years. It supports ways of working that are collaborative, ethical and rooted in care - for people, place and the future. For artists and cultural workers, it provides tools to think more deeply about how projects are designed, how relationships are held, and how work can be sustainable over the long term.

This course is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting artists and cultural practitioners working in collaborative and socially engaged ways. We’re offering it as a subsided opportunity for our Liverpool City Region community of artists, partners and collaborators to come together, reflect, share knowledge and explore new ways of working that feel more ethical, regenerative and hopeful.

Feedback from previous participants:

"The hosting felt affable, accessible, informal and accommodating and incorporated a non euro-centric focused agenda which understood decolonising and anti-oppressive framework. The space was also well organised in timekeeping which maximised learning"

"Learning about the different ethics, principles, and tools connected to permaculture is very inspiring; the balance between details and keeping it broad really helps to find ways to adapt it to one's personal life and practice."

"Lots and lots of interesting links to other reading, websites, projects, places to visit. The other participants were so interesting and thoughtful and prompted me to think differently. Many new avenues to explore. Affirmation of things I have been thinking about so that I can take them further."