Catalyst launches two new degrees that centre meaning, psychology and storytelling in creative education
Catalyst – Institute for Creative Arts & Technology, based in Berlin’s historic Funkhaus, is launching two new degree programmes: the BA in Documentary Photography and the MA in Applied Creative Psychology. These additions reflect the institution’s ongoing commitment to supporting socially engaged, reflective and purpose-driven creative practice.
Both degrees respond to a growing need for arts education that goes beyond technical training and superficial aesthetics. Instead, they focus on developing the capacity for meaningful expression, critical thinking and socially conscious creative work – attributes that increasingly define the next generation of creative practitioners.
“With the addition of Documentary Photography and Applied Creative Psychology, we’re expanding our ecosystem of meaningful storytelling and socially engaged creative practice,” said Dr. Sarah McAdam, Catalyst’s Head of Education.
“Our newest programmes reflect the belief that art is deeper than aesthetics and touches the more meaningful parts of society and human experience. They reinforce our commitment to real-world learning and mirror the collaborative, interdisciplinary and impact-driven nature of creative industries. This is a natural step in building a course portfolio that meets the needs of our time while shaping a more conscious, connected and creative future.”
Pioneering in creative practices
The Documentary Photography BA programme is one of just a few undergraduate programmes in Europe specialising in documentary work in an English-taught, practice-led setting. It offers students the opportunity to develop as visual storytellers while working with real-world issues and cultivating an ethical and reflective approach to photography.
The Applied Creative Psychology MA programme is the first programme of its kind in Europe. It is built for educators, artists, coaches and facilitators who want to dig deeper into how creativity can support wellbeing, personal development and social transformation. The course uses a unique combination of psychological insights, creative practice and experiential learning, helping its students to design and deliver meaningful work addressing the essence of creativity
“Our School of Creative Human Development is part of something much bigger. Within the ecosystem, it is part of a growing field of study that combines neuroscience with creative practice. Within Catalyst, it sits alongside our Schools of Music & Sound, Film & Visual Media and Acting, but focuses on a different layer of creative growth,” said Cordele Glass, Programme Lead and Head of School of Creative Human Development.
“Our mission is to support the internal dimensions of artistry, such as purpose, resilience, wellbeing and social impact. By launching the Applied Creative Psychology MA, we’re offering new ways for creatives to engage with art, healing and transformation through their practice. These programmes are embodying our belief in creative flourishing, the idea that artistic development is inseparable from personal and collective growth.”
Cordele’s recent paper in Frontiers in Psychology titled “A systems approach to creative flourishing: conceptual foundations and implications for development” highlights both the urgency and relevance of this emerging field. The paper offers a research-based framework for how creativity is an essential ingredient for individual and group resilience, agency and purpose. Alongside practical findings, the paper reinforces the importance of integrating creative psychology into education, the arts and wider society.
A broader vision of creativity
Together, the new programmes reflect Catalyst’s evolving educational model—one that sees the arts as a vehicle for deeper engagement with the world. By placing reflection, collaboration and human connection at the centre of creative education, these degrees create space for students to develop as contributors to a more thoughtful, empathetic and resilient society.
They also continue Catalyst’s efforts to design interdisciplinary learning environments that reflect today’s creative industries, giving students a realistic and meaningful playground for exploration.
A natural fit for Berlin
Berlin has long been a hub for socially engaged art, alternative education, and experimental wellbeing practices. These new programmes align naturally with the city’s creative spirit—inviting students to contribute to a vibrant ecosystem where art, psychology, and community intersect.
Explore the new degree courses
Applications will open for both new programmes mid-October 2025. Scholarships and extended payment plans are available.