Art Angel - Artists Collective
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Art Angel is an innovative arts and mental health project based in Dundee with eleven years experience of working with, listening and responding to people with mental health problems. The unique combination of arts and advocacy ensures that not only do its participants have an active role in the planning, management and implementation of the project but they also have positive opportunities to voice their views, ideas and opinions through art, communicating and interacting with the wider community. The participants also play an important role in challenging public perceptions of mental health and provide an enhanced understanding of mental health issues in Dundee.
Background
Art Angel provides an equal and friendly environment for anyone with experience of mental health difficulties to get involved in a wide spectrum of arts activities as a means of positive self-expression, self-development, creative exploration, communication and support.
It engages its participants by building confidence and self-esteem as well as providing a sense of purpose. Participants learn new skills, build on dormant abilities and enjoy the transforming nature of arts participation in a non-clinical environment. There are a wide range of opportunities to engage with the public through exhibitions, performances, film launches and book publications which not only raise awareness of mental health issues but also give the participants an opportunity to redefine themselves as artists, making a positive contribution within their community. Independent research has shown that participants have reported an enhanced ability to cope with everyday life and to convey their needs and wishes, as well as regaining control of their lives through a positive sense of recovery and wellbeing.
The Art Angel artfull Exemplar project evolved from a Scottish Arts Council funded Artist Residency that took place in 2006, culminating in a major exhibition at the University of Abertay in Dundee. The Artists, Julie Boswell and Steven Johnstone, worked with a group of Art Angel participants who wished to focus their energy on their art work but wanted more guidance rather than facilitation.
After the exhibition the group decided they wanted to continue to work as a group and are now known as the Artist Collective. After the experience of a year of focused work the group realised that they wished to continue their creative exploration as artists and to create strong links with other artist-run organisations both locally and nationally, exhibiting in Dundee and beyond.
While mental health was still an integral part of their work, they agreed the focus would not necessarily be one of mental health issues. The group has been able to build on their previous successes. It meets regularly to discuss ideas and is planning an exhibition in the future. Artist Collective artists are building their knowledge, skills and experience by visiting major arts exhibitions and inviting high profile Artists to show and discuss their work and working practice, as well as learning new techniques and exploring new materials and ideas without pressure to create a product.
Two participants are receiving peer support training and have started to put these skills into practice within the regular art group. In time they will work with other community groups.
The group has been extremely supportive and this has given members the confidence to experiment more with materials and ideas. They are ready now to show their work alongside known artists in their community and regard themselves as artists in their own right.
Through regular discussions with the group and evaluation, the benefits of the project are already being seen. The project has been crucial in terms of confidence building, skill building, communication, peer support and shared experience, as well as the participants’ recovery and wellbeing. It has also given the participants positive challenges and self-motivation as well as the ability to take more responsibility.