The Draft Creative Wellbeing Manifesto themes
In October, as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2024, we will share the final Manifesto with background information and evidence for each Manifesto theme. We value your feedback and your reflection regarding the draft themes and would appreciate if you were able to take the time to share your opinions and thoughts with us by filling out the form below.
Creative expression is an essential part of being human and keeps us well but is often neglected as we age due to barriers such as rigid higher education structures, life’s demands, and unequal access.
OutPost Arts have formed a Manifesto to inspire, inform and positively disrupt the creative wellbeing conversation in our region.
We aim to creatively interpret the Manifesto in new, exciting ways, encouraging audiences to engage with and form their own connections to its themes.
The sharing of the Manifesto is part of the event ‘DG Creative Wellbeing: Reflections & Exhibition’, taking place at the Atrium in Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary on Tuesday 20th August.
The event is part of Healing Arts Scotland 2024 Programme, the first ever countrywide Healing Arts week, happening all across the country from 19th – 23rd August, led by Scottish Ballet and the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organisation. HAS is a week-long celebration of arts and health events, highlighting the joy they bring to those who take part, and their importance to the nation’s physical, mental and social health.
The ‘DG Creative Wellbeing: Reflections & Exhibition’ event pulls back the curtain on the innovative work OutPost Arts have been doing across D&G from early 2023. OutPost Arts have worked with a range of cross-sector partners to increase access to creative wellbeing opportunities in the region.
Here, you can view a retrospective display, help to create a collective piece of art to enhance DGRI’s Atrium space, and enjoy a musical performance from Oceanallover, a site-specific theatre Arts Company representing the work of Artistic Director Alex Rigg. There will also be an opportunity to join the CW Network in visioning the Creative Wellbeing Manifesto for Dumfries & Galloway.
The Manifesto underlines the power of creativity and highlights the potential benefits of incorporating art and culture into our lives, using plain language to increase accessibility.
The Manifesto isn’t just words – it’s an agenda for change, and it is for all of us.
“OutPost Arts is excited to take part in the first ever country-wide Healing Arts initiative, joining with others to drive public engagement for the vital role of art in health. OutPost Arts’ contribution to the inspiring programme of events is a retrospective and celebration event that highlights the significant achievements that have taken place over the past 18 months and collectively visions the future. We’ve been lucky enough to work hugely dedicated project partners, Artists, and of course – our programme participants. We’ve made huge strategic strides forward – embedding the arts into healthcare, establishing a cross-sector Creative Wellbeing Network, and building an impactful community programme that has benefited the lives of many, and there is much more to come!”
Have a read through of an Art Journal Project participant’s personal experiences which forms part of the draft Manifesto:
