Inclusive art in mental health: how to make it possible
What benefits does access to art and culture bring to a person?
What benefits does access to art and culture bring to a person?
Accessing live music, performing arts, museums, and historical sites connects us in countless ways: with ourselves, with others, and also with our emotions, history, and nature. Culture opens doors to diverse and endless worlds where we can express ourselves, communicate, see, listen, understand, challenge ourselves, and grow—in short, we can become part of and participate in a world where we can truly be a part of it. Enjoying culture fosters social connections and friendships, generates positive emotions, and creates new memories. We have all felt, at some point, how art and culture inspire and motivate us in our daily lives, stimulating our body, mind, and soul.
It has long been known that art and culture are beneficial for everyone. In terms of participation and contribution to the community, they serve as tools for expression and communication, instruments for introspection and managing one's emotions, a range of leisure activities and opportunities to connect with others, and an openness to the world—free from rules, flexible, and so on. For people with mental health issues, the benefits are the same. Sometimes, due to their recovery process, these benefits are even more crucial, and it is unfair and illogical that they should not have access to them, adapted to their needs, if required.
Through your project, how do you bring art closer to people with mental health problems?
Through your project, how do you bring art closer to people with mental health problems?
Through Apropa Cultura, organizations and social centers working with people with mental health conditions reserve tickets for concerts, plays, dance performances, circus acts, exhibitions, and visits to historical sites at a significantly reduced price . Apropa Cultura aims to eliminate physical, economic, communication, and attitudinal barriers so that people with mental health conditions can access culture like everyone else.
The Parelles Artístiques project, creative experiences for mental health, opens the door to participation as an artist, as part of a pair, to anyone connected to a mental health facility within the Xarxa de Parelles Artístiques (Network of Artistic Pairs). Participation is welcome whether you already have a history as a professional or amateur artist, have recently begun participating in artistic activities within the mental health facility, or even have no prior experience but wish to explore art as a new interest. All participants take on the role of artist within the project and receive the same recognition as their partners, who are artists not affiliated with the mental health facility. This participation facilitates an immersive experience in art and culture: conversations with your partner or other pairs, the creative process itself (imagining, inventing, experimenting, testing, learning by creating the work with another person), discovering cultural spaces, attending exhibitions of the project or of the artists you've met, and more.
When we work with inclusive art in mental health, is the creative process or the final artwork more important? Why?
When we work with inclusive art in mental health, is the creative process or the final artwork more important? Why?
While it's not always the case, the creative process should be more important. We must learn to enjoy the journey. The path of art allows us to learn, experiment, play, and, very importantly, allows us to make mistakes in a safe space and learn to manage our frustration and limitations. If we focus solely on the final piece, we won't let go, and there won't be room for the freedom so necessary to achieve a complete and meaningful experience.
That doesn't mean that art in mental health isn't high-quality and excellent; we see exceptional works of art created by unique artists every day!
Art can be a powerful therapeutic tool for some people. If the artist focuses on aesthetics, on what the public expects, on marketability, it limits free expression and therefore ceases to be therapeutic. If free artistic expression is prioritized, it's therapeutic for everyone; if aesthetics are prioritized, the artist doesn't have the same experience and knows that their work will probably never please everyone. I think this applies to any artist, whether they have a mental health issue or not; they can choose to focus on what they want to express or on what the public will like.
What do we need to create a truly inclusive cultural society?
What do we need to create a truly inclusive cultural society?
We as individuals must learn to listen actively and embrace diversity, recognize it within ourselves, and value it as a driver of real change, an opportunity for transformation to achieve a better culture and society.
Furthermore, we need stable and long-term policies; inclusion must be addressed in all areas, with resources, in a cross-cutting and organic manner, and based on co-responsibility, because it belongs to everyone and is for everyone.
A broad, free cultural offering adapted to all audiences, without segregation. Providing greater opportunities for artists in general (professionals, amateurs, those with health or social challenges) to showcase their work.