Project Ability - Moving On
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Project Ability is one of Scotland’s leading specialist arts organisations. Since 1984 they have been providing artistic programmes for people who find it difficult to attend mainstream activities.
The Trongate Studios (funded by NHS Greater Glasgow) is one of the main projects within the organisation and provides studio space, materials and equipment for people who are referred through mental health services.
The aim of the Trongate Studios is to promote the positive role of the arts in health and wellbeing, and to provide an understanding environment for people with mental health problems who are interested in exploring their creativity.
Background
Project Ability opened the Trongate Studios in 1994 as a resource for people referred through mental health services who have an interest in visual art.
The Trongate Studios are situated in Glasgow’s Merchant City, and are open throughout the year from 9 am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Current Project
In September 2008 Project Ability will be relocating to new premises. ‘Trongate 103’ will house eight arts organisations and studios under one roof within a new purpose-built renovated building in Glasgow’s cultural centre, the Merchant City. With the move comes the promise of effective change, particularly with regard to the way the Trongate Studios are used.
Trongate Studios is presently carrying out research which aims to identify the necessary changes that need to be made to enable the Trongate Studios to build upon its established reputation in its new home. Specifically, the research will look at two key areas. Firstly, it aims to gain a deeper understanding of the needs and requirements of the artists attending Trongate Studios. Through exploring these, the artists can begin to use the studios more effectively and to realise successfully their artistic potential. Secondly, it aims to investigate the barriers preventing Trongate Studios artists from continuing their artistic development in a more independent and/or mainstream setting. The final report will make suggestions for a number of key stakeholders: the individual artists accessing the studios, the management and board of Project Ability, policy makers in Arts and Mental Health and other arts organisations.
Who’s Involved & Why
First and foremost the research will focus upon the testimony of the artists themselves. If change is to be meaningful and relevant it must acknowledge the needs of those it will affect most. This will be done through a series of one-on-one interviews to which all Trongate Studios artists will be invited. In addition to this, the research will map systems developed by other Arts and Mental Health projects in terms of their service provision. As a result, the research can be placed within a broader context and the final report will be of relevance not only to Trongate Studios, but also to Arts and Mental Health programmes throughout Scotland. The project began in June 2007 and is due to finish at the end of January 2008.
Quotes from Participants/Artists
“A place where I can work and think and relax.”
“It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I have made a lot of new friends who are great at helping me.”
“The studio is a major factor in why I am able to function.”
“It’s a godsend to be here and good mixing with people”
Case study
One participant, ‘J’, who has been coming to the studios for a number of years is a good example of the positive effects of regular creative activity. After many years of alcoholism and homelessness, ‘J’ went through rehabilitation and was referred to the studios. He says ‘I find that coming into the studios gives me a good feeling of achievement. At the end of the day when I go home I feel that I have done something worthwhile, and I have made some nice friends through coming to the studios’.
‘J’ treats his time the studios very much like having a job. He comes in every day at 9am and stays for a full day. Having a sense of routine is very important to him. ‘J’ did not have any experience of making art before coming to the studio but has developed a style that is very much his own and which holds great meaning for him.