Key Themes

The Tool Kits focus on six key themes, as identified by our collaborators. These themes are explored through the Critical Tool Kits, Critical Writing and Podcasts…

Artists vs Art Therapists

What are the pros and cons of employing either an artist or an art therapist within rehabilitative art projects? And what we can learn from each other’s approaches? Are there alternative connections between art and therapeutic practices – ones which are less obvious than the production of drawings and artefacts?

Criticality and Evaluation within a Culture of Optimism

How do current evaluation processes hinder the critical reflection needed to improve practice in the field? And how is it possible to be both inclusive and critical?

The “Other” and the Mental Health History of Practitioners

What are the pros and cons of practitioners having personal experience of the issues they are working with? How do we deal with the practitioner or participant being seen as the “other”?

Providing and Promoting Social Inclusion: One in the Same?

Providing social inclusion for individuals and promoting social inclusion to the public are two different aims. When can these aims go hand in hand, and when might they conflict? Are we further stigmatising our participants by the way we exhibit their work?

The Role of Art Institutions in Art Outreach

With a large proportion of social art projects being funded via galleries and museums, what affect do these institutions have on such projects? What conflicts of interest arise when working with institutions? What does a good model for this relationship look like?

The Role of Art Practitioners’ Own Art Practice

What is the relationship between art practitioners’ personal art practice and their outreach art practice [i.e. community projects, gallery education, art and health, etc]? How do artists maintain creative autonomy for themselves and their participants within rehabilitative settings?

How were the themes chosen?

The six themes emerged from a seminar held at the Centre for Creative Collaboration, London in October 2010.

50 people attended, including individuals from: NHS, BBC Arts, Mind, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Lankelly Chase Foundation, CALMzone, University of Arts Magazine, CIDA (Cultural Industries Development Agency),  Artsdepot, Queen Mary’s, Goldsmiths, Look Ahead, The Camden Society, The Bluecoat, BPP Law School, Bath Spa University, London Borough of Lambeth and Studio Upstairs.

Contact…

Hannah Hull

Email: hannahchristinehull@gmail.com

Website: www.hannahhull.co.uk