The Academy of Intentional Magic (AIM), a new creative learning platform, today announced its launch, building on the nearly twenty-year legacy of the Poetry Barn and expanding into a broader commons for artists, writers, teachers, and creatives. The new academy aims to cultivate creativity, imagination, and connection through a comprehensive ecosystem of programs and resources.
Founder Lissa Kiernan, who has led the Poetry Barn since its inception, explained the inspiration behind the academy, citing a quote from Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet": "Work is love made visible." For artists, she said, that work is often what they can't stop returning to—the poem revised countless times, the scale practiced obsessively, the scrappy garden. This spirit of dedication and passion is at the heart of the Academy.
While poetry remains a central focus, AIM expands its offerings to embrace all forms of artistic expression, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary work—where one way of seeing can transform another. This exchange is facilitated year-round in Murmurations, AIM's online community where artists can share works-in-progress, ask questions, and make discoveries.
The Academy provides a comprehensive ecosystem for working artists, encompassing eight interconnected areas. The Community offers an online social space for networking and collaboration, while Education provides curated studios, craft labs, and circles that continue the tradition of AIM's pioneering online poetry workshops. Mentoring connects artists with a vetted consortium of master mentors for consultations or ongoing relationships. Publishing opportunities allow artists to share their work through AIM's press and journal. The Library grants free public access to 4,000 volumes of poetry, specializing in single-author collections and rare titles. Retreats offer immersive experiences led by master teaching artists, and Outreach partners with high schools to deliver multidisciplinary arts workshops.
AIM's philosophy is inclusive, making no distinction between art and craft, or between formal and popular traditions. A classical form and a rock lyric are treated with the same seriousness and welcome. This is reflected in the fall offerings, which span topics like myth, wonder, and the stars. One of the first workshops is "Sky Writing: Write Your Own Horoscope," led by somatic astrologer Cory Nakasue, taking place on September 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 6–8 p.m. ET. The workshop approaches the horoscope as a creative and symbolic form, blending interpretation, storytelling, and poetry.
To mark Labor Day, AIM is inviting artists to share what they're working on in Murmurations—whether a messy draft, a half-finished painting, a melody, a collage, an outline, an experiment, or even the seed of an idea. The invitation comes with no expectation of polish; the Academy wants to see the work while it's still becoming. This call underscores the community's commitment to process over product.
Additionally, AIM is currently inviting teaching artists to propose a practice, experience, or learning module for future offerings. The Academy's programs are available now at www.academyofintentionalmagic.com.
The launch of AIM represents a significant development for the arts community, providing a robust platform that supports artists at every stage of their creative journey. By expanding beyond poetry into a multidisciplinary hub, AIM positions itself as a vital resource for fostering creativity and connection in the region and beyond.
