By following an Arno Stern Training Program, you discover a profession — that of the Play-Of-Painting Servant — and learn how to create the conditions in which the act of expression can unfold freely, without intervention, judgment, or interpretation.
You also learn to understand the laws of Formulation through an in-depth study of the Semiology of Expression. This knowledge helps protect against astonishment, indiscretion, intervention, and appropriation.
The original Arno Stern Training Program is now transmitted by his son, André Stern, who worked alongside him for more than 35 years. It is part of a collective work that faithfully continues the transmission initiated by Arno Stern.
Over the decades, many participants have gone on to create places dedicated to the Play-Of-Painting in countries near and far.
You can find presentation videos about the training program on Arno Stern’s YouTube channel.
In 2014, we undertook a major digitization project involving the 500,000 archived documents — drawings and paintings — collected by Arno Stern since 1947.
This advancement made it possible to present his work in a renewed way, highlighting essential phenomena with unprecedented precision.
Another major turning point came in 2020, when the training program was completely redesigned to be offered online and live. Its content was enriched in order to transmit with even greater clarity both the theory — the scientific study of Formulation — and the practical aspects of the Play-Of-Painting and the Closlieu.
Throughout his life, Arno Stern travelled around the world to share the universal nature of his work. His books have been translated into many languages.
Today, thanks to recent technological developments, we are able to offer the Arno Stern Training Program with simultaneous translation into more than 60 languages*.
This opens the training to participants from all over the world, without language barriers.
You simply indicate your preferred language when registering.
*Except for German and Polish, for which specific training programs already exist.
The training does not end when the program is completed.
All trained participants may take part in continuing education gatherings, in the form of Online Resourcing Days lasting at least one day per year, at no additional cost.
These moments help maintain a living connection, deepen one’s practice, and allow questions to emerge and be shared through experience.
They extend Arno Stern’s wish to accompany, over time, those who commit themselves to this path.
This training program includes 79 hours spread over 5 weekends. Its content is equivalent to several semesters of study.
This online format offers several advantages:
The certification delivered at the end of the training — subject to attendance requirements — makes it possible to open a Closlieu according to the criteria defined by Arno Stern.
The online platform is simple to use, and our team accompanies you before and throughout the training.
Illustrated lectures and Q&A sessions
79 hours of training in total
Also including 4 informal one-hour group meetings (from the second module onward, via Zoom)
The course is based on the original contents conceived, developed, and continuously updated by Arno Stern, and presented at his request by André Stern, his son and long-time collaborator of over 30 years.
→ As the program is conducted live and in interaction with participants, it is not available in replay.
The course is delivered in French, with the possibility of simultaneous translation.
→ Thanks to a professional-grade automated interpretation service, the Arno Stern Training Program can now be followed with live translation in more than 60 languages*.
You simply indicate your chosen language when registering.
*Except for German and Polish, for which specific programs already exist.
By registering for the Training Program, you also have access to:
5 weekends from 19 June to 19 July 2026
Paris Time Zone (GMT+1/+2 depending on the time of year)
Please check your time zone accordingly
On all Fridays: From 3:30 or 4:30 pm* to 7:30 pm (break from 6:00 to 6:30 pm**)
On all Saturdays: From 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (break from 11:00 to 11:30 am**) and from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm (break from 4:30 to 5:00 pm**)
On all Sundays: From 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (break from 11:00 to 11:30 am**) and from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
* Important: During modules 2, 3, 4, and 5, an informal Zoom meeting with the entire group takes place from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
**Scheduled break times are indicative.
Special offer marking the international opening of the training program:
The full training program, including translation, is offered at a price of €3,000, exclusively for the June and July 2026 session
Offer available until June 15, 2026 (inclusive)
After this date, the 60 languages will remain available, but the price will return to its standard rate
Payment terms: see registration form.
More informations about joining the I.R.S.E.-A.S. on the organisation’s website.
