The Exploration Workshop

An Exploration of Emotions and Colors through Jazz Music (“Exploration”) is a half- or full-day workshop designed for adults, blending Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) with a unique multidisciplinary approach. This program combines mindfulness practices, an exclusive improvisational jazz experience, collaborative art-making, and small group discussions to support emotional wellness, stress reduction, resilience, and team cohesion. The result is a transformative team-building experience that drives organizational excellence and connectedness. Watch the Exploration promo below.

About

Exploration is a comprehensive workshop centered around arts-based activities. It's available in half-day or full-day formats and crafted with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) goals, focusing on areas like self-awarenessadaptability, emotional regulation, and self-discovery. The aim is to bolster emotional capacity in individuals and teams so they are better equipped to serve others.

Under the expert guidance of our certified art therapists, Exploration takes participants through a series of research-backed practices and unique creative processes to help individuals reduce stress, build resilience, and connect more authentically with their team members. 

According to Megan Wanttie, Ph.D. Researcher for the 2023 Exploration Case Study, “We believe the success of this workshop hinges on the distinctive fusion of mindfulness, improvisational jazz, and a collaborative art-based activity. Engaging participants in these creative processes allows them to embrace the present moment, enhance awareness, and authentically connect with one another, making this a highly innovative and transformational team-building experience.

Exploration can be custom-tailored to meet your organization's unique needs and priorities. Whether you're tackling specific challenges or aligning content with organizational goals, our program ensures maximum relevance and impact.

Schedule a discovery call today.

"The best performers in the workplace are those who have mastered the art of managing their emotions in times of stress, while also being able to connect with others in a meaningful way.”

Daniel Goleman, Author, “Emotional Intelligence”

Exploration Translates to Dynamic
Workplace Outcomes

Enhanced Self-Awareness

Exploration’s focus on self-understanding can help professionals become more attuned to their own emotions, stressors, and coping mechanisms. This self-awareness is essential for preventing burnout and ensuring one’s emotional well-being.

Transformational Team-Building and Team Cohesion

Exploration’s emphasis on team-building can foster a sense of camaraderie. This supportive network can create a workplace environment where teams begin to openly discuss workplace challenges, share insights, and collectively develop strategies for support.

Long-Term Resilience

Exploration can contribute to long-term resilience in a demanding and emotionally charged field by equipping professionals with social-emotional learning (SEL) skills.


Empathy and Connection


Through the creative activities and team-building experiences, participants can develop a deeper sense of empathy and connection with others. This skill is crucial for establishing meaningful relationships with clients and providing more compassionate care.

Adaptability

Exploration cultivates adaptability by exposing participants to new experiences and challenges in a supportive setting. This builds resilience and flexibility, enabling individuals to navigate unexpected obstacles and find solutions even in uncertain circumstances.

Mindfulness Techniques to Reduce Stress

Exploration cultivates adaptability by exposing participants to new experiences and challenges in a supportive setting. This builds resilience and flexibility, enabling individuals to navigate unexpected obstacles and find solutions even in uncertain circumstances.


A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that employees who participated in resilience training programs demonstrated improvements in job performance, including increased productivity and job satisfaction. Strengthening resilience skills can enhance individual performance in the workplace. (Ruotsalainen et al., 2015)

Cultivating Resilience for Individual and Organizational Success

Exploration's core lies in enhancing emotional capacity, which is essential for strengthening resilience. By equipping individuals with the tools and mindset needed to navigate adversity, they are better equipped to thrive in the face of uncertainty.

This involves developing key skills such as:

  • self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, effective communication, relationship-building, adaptability, mindfulness, continuous learning, and cultural competence.

When these skills are reinforced, professionals become adept at managing their emotions, forging stronger connections within their team, and fostering an environment conducive to innovation and creativity.

This enhancement in emotional intelligence and interpersonal dynamics directly contributes to organizational success as teams collaborate more effectively, problem-solve with agility, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

By embracing the diverse dimensions of emotional capacity, you’re investing in your team’s well-being and contributing to the overall pro’ overall prosperity of the community.

Exploration is an indispensable asset for forward-thinking organizations.

From the “Exploration” documentary film

The following excerpt features Jenny Braunginn, a licensed social worker, discussing her participation in the program. To watch the full 16-minute Exploration documentary, click here to request a private link.

What People Are Saying

"Silent collaboration is a new level in many ways...it reminded me there is a unification in the human experience."

"As a group, we made it explicitly clear to one another that we were not judging what the others were doing. We felt open to create together, including when we swapped seats. We were just interested in seeing what arose while we had a conversation."

“Being open to instructions without feeling like I needed to get things "right" since it feels like often getting things right is the most important thing.”

"The experience helped remind me of the need to check in with where I am and where I want to be on my personal & professional paths."

"Listening to others input was great. The different viewpoints and emotions that others shared was powerful and enlightening and refreshing.”

“I felt like I was actively listening to others in this space more than I ever have (very dramatic phrase, but that is how it felt, reflecting on it now). I also felt very comfortable responding in this space, like my voice was heard and welcome."

Information

Contact
Stephanie Matthews
Executive Director, A Tribe for Jazz
Exploration Program Manager

(917) 858-9453
SMatthews@atribeforjazz.org

Capability Statement
To download the A Tribe for Jazz/Exploration Capability Statement Click Here.

NAICS Codes
541611, 541612,  611430, 611710, 541720, 621399, 921190, 923140

Small Business Status

Small Disadvantaged Business, Women-Owned, Small Business, Women-Owned Business, Black American-Owned, Minority-Owned Business