Will tomorrow’s Christians be inspired “further up and further in” by a new generation of artists?
It's up to you.
The Anselm Society Arts Guild exists to provide artists with the spiritual and social resources to support them in their craft. We have cultivated a supportive community to provide the balance of comfort and challenge that enables artists to grow in creative mastery; and through retreats, workshops, webinars, and readings, we seek to match that technical growth with a growth in wisdom.
We are looking for people who have:
First and foremost, a desire to play a part in reenchanting the church by bringing their gifts to the service of the Body of Christ
A commitment to excellence, and the betterment of their craft
A belief that good art, whether it explores joy and exhilaration or darkness and pain, is a window into truth, beauty, and ultimately, God.
A commitment to engage regularly with other artists. Our Guild meets monthly—twice a quarter in medium-specific groups, and once a quarter as a large cross-medium group.
Current Groups
We know some disciplines cross lines—Guild members are welcome to attend the meetings of any group. We also strive to keep up with the needs of the current makeup of the Guild, so these groups aren’t static and we can add more as demand allows.
Performing Arts Group
Musicians, composers, stage performers/directors, dancers, actors, comedians, singer-song writers, cinematic artists, lyricists, etc.
Visual Arts Group
Craftsmen of all kinds, potters, sculptors, jewelers, painters, culinary artists, etc.
Literary Arts Group
Novelists, poets, singer-song writers, non-fiction writers, memoirists, essayists, literary non-fiction writers, publishers, script-writers for media/stage, lyricists, etc.
As a member artist, you will enjoy:
Growth
Workshops, art shows, retreats, and relationships with people who can help you learn from the best of the present and the past
Support
A safe but challenging community committed to the health and growth of its members
Connection
Friendships, opportunities for mentor- and mentee-ship, and access to artistic and theological masters around the world
Testimonials
Read Amy Baik Lee’s account of the impact of the Guild on her life and the lives around her.
Evangeline Denmark: making Christians unafraid of art…and artists unafraid of faith
Kristopher Orr: creativity needs community…and theology
Kiya McCluskey: how a member church commission impacted me
Applications
The Guild is currently NOT taking new applications, as we focus on building community with a wonderful wave of new members from the past couple years. If you are interested in applying to the Guild, you may fill out an application form via the “join waitlist” button below, and we will notify you down the road when we begin reviewing these applications. In the meantime, we strongly encourage you to start here to begin connecting with other artists in the Anselm Society!
Normally, applications are reviewed three times a year. Membership dues are $12/month or $144/year per person. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older, and be able to regularly make monthly meetings in Colorado Springs.
“The courage I have found since I joined Anselm has impacted my work & inner life immeasurably. Thank you (all of you) for being so weirdly wonderful.”
“The Anselm Society Artists’ Retreat is one of my favorite events of the year. I soak it all in and draw on it throughout the rest of the year. The best part of it is the commissioning at the end of the day, when we’re invited to come up front (introvert horrors!) and have a prayer of blessing said over us individually. Father Ken anointed my hands, and I have no idea what he said because I was just trying not to go into the Ugly Cry. But what he said at the very end of the service was the most meaningful to me: “You are seen. You are loved. What you make matters.” For an artist who grew up in the church, which doesn’t always have the best of relationships with artists, especially ones who don’t make “Christian art” or “church art,” to be told this by someone in the church is a huge deal. Whenever I’m blocked or struggling or just telling myself that I’m too tired to write, these are the moments I look back to for strength and motivation.”