The first of a series of focus groups catering for artists of all disciplines was held to considerable success in RUA RED South Dublin Arts Centre in Tallaght on Friday 16th July. Over 20 participants attended the meeting representing a cross-section of art-forms and disciplines, of interests, of practice and of concerns.
The agenda was broad based, focusing on future priorities and needs for artists interested in working in the area; independent of, in association with, or supported by South Dublin County Council.
The outcome of two facilitated Artists Focus Group discussions is outlined below. These serve to summarise the key priorities and concerns for the cross-section of artists attending the event.
•The first, asked participants to identify perceived gaps in current arts service provision within the county. Below are the key concerns listed in order of priority chosen by Focus Group participants.
Key Concerns
1.Lack of cultural hubs beyond the larger demographic centres eg Tallaght, Lucan.
2.Face-to-face, peer support opportunities for artists living/ working in the county. Regular meetings – not necessarily frequent. eg – An Artists Forum meeting 5/6 times per year.
3.Access to continuous professional development, community-based, mentored, networked eg. Master classes.
4.Advocacy for the benefits of artistic endeavour for individuals and communities.
5.Stronger links with local businesses to sponsor / support artistic endeavour.
6.Quality opportunities for young people seeking a career in the arts.
7.Current issue city-wide with closure of commercial galleries – difficulty in finding places to exhibit.
8.Aggressive marketing supporting artistic endeavour - eg Fused Festival – small audiences.
9.Incentivise opportunities for business involvement in arts partnerships and artistic support. This also contributes to building community spirit and a critical mass of awareness/ interest/ participation in the local arts scene.
10.Stronger links between the Arts Office and national artform development/ support and professional organisations eg. IMRO, to the benefit of professional and training artists in the county.
11.Access to 3rd level arts education within the county.
12.Support and mentorship for artists re: administration, accounting, tax returns. There may also be a role here for the local Partnership organisations.
Arising from this discussion it was proposed that an initial meeting of a county-based Artists’ Forum be held in late September. * See below.
•The second discussion asked participants to anticipate future priorities for a new arts strategy. Summarised below, in order of priority chosen by Focus Group participants, are the issues raised.
The top seven priorities were:
1.Research the potential role for Arts Office as a communication and networking hub for artists.
2.Support mid-career professional artists.
3.Promote best practice and high quality arts opportunities and endeavour.
4.Support a creative and artistic community within the county - cultural dynamism.
5.Encourage and facilitate artists taking part in decision-making.
6.Support residencies in satellite and local communities in addition to physical infrastructure.
7.Local Arts Festivals eg. Clondalkin with local participation and local co-ordination.
The next set of priorities, at equal standing were:
1.Establish an Artists Forum. (first meeting late September).
2.Forge stronger relationships with national arts, arts development, arts & education and professional arts organisations – with particular reference to opportunities for training and mid-career artists.
3.Continue and further develop opportunities for young people – taking particular note of the demographic profile within the county.
4.Equal access to quality arts experiences for those over age 25.
5.Monitoring, mid-term review and evaluation should be built into the Strategy.
The final issues remaining include:
1.Prioritise the creation and promotion of cultural and civic quarters across the county.
2.Establish a database for arts practitioners/ art teachers / community artists.
3.Establish accredited arts-based education within the county.
4.Publish a regular newsletter promoting county arts activities.
5.Facilitate Garda Clearance procedures – clarify guidelines.
It was agreed that a position paper would be drafted and posted on the South Dublin Arts Consultation blogspot allowing for further input and comment.
*The first Artist’s Forum meeting is scheduled to take place in Rua Red on Wednesday 29th September, 7-9pm. Places can be booked directly through the arts centre Tel: 01-4515860.
This meeting follows from a focus group consultation with artists of all disciplines where the participants expressed a wish to set up an Artists Forum in the county. A facilitator will be provided for the event to assist the group to develop its terms of reference. All artists are encouraged to attend this meeting. It is anticipated that the event will be a broad based, focusing on the needs and priorities of artists interested in living and/or working in the South Dublin County area. This initial meeting is organised under the Public Consultation programme
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Towards and Arts and Health Position Paper
Context
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a ‘state of complete psychological, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. This definition indicates that health services should consider ‘health’ as a wide concept that combines the medical, social, psychological, environmental and spiritual dimensions of well being. The arts are used in a variety of ways with patients, for the intrinsic value of engaging in art for it’s own sake as well as to meet the needs of the whole person and as a tool to enhance individual health and well being.
An acute hospital (such as the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght) houses patients and staff who are creative individuals in their own right. Patients can sometimes experience a long stay in hospital and all focus can be on the part of the body that is ill, while their sense of identity, (with individual preferences and other interests) can be lost or suspended. Anxiety and fear are a common experience for all of us when we access health services.
There is a wealth of international experience to support the use of the arts in health. For example, the US and the UK have a long history of employing both Arts Officers and Arts Therapists in many healthcare settings. Evidence of benefit is growing in this relatively new field. Leading Irish examples of the use of the arts in health currently include our own hospital, as well as the Waterford Healing Arts Trust and the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. The HSE recently published The Practice of Arts in Healthcare to give guidelines to health services when introducing arts programmes.
Benefits of using the arts in health
The Arts Council publication The Arts and Health Handbook summarises some of the benefits of the arts in health as follows:
To the health organisation:
• Reduction in stress within the environment
• More positive experience of the healthcare environment for staff, service users and visitors
• Improved perceptions of the organisation
• Stronger sense of community
• More attractive to staff as potential place of employment
• More attractive to potential clients
To service users:
• Sense of ownership of the environment
• Retaining a sense of identity beyond their current circumstances
• Development of creativity and talent
• Enhanced relationships with staff
• More positive experience of health service
• Increased well-being and self-confidence
• Enhanced recovery
• Increased access to the arts
• Increased capacity for creative and critical thinking skills
• Some participants develop a latent talent
To staff:
• Improved working environment
• Stronger sense of community
• Increased creativity
• Enhanced awareness and appreciation of both service users and staff as individuals
• Possibility of developing new or existing skills
To the community
• Reduction in sense of intimidation or alienation from a public service
• Increased sense of ownership of a healthcare centre
• Increased access to the arts
Arts and Health at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght
The appointment and support of a Director of Arts and Health at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in 2003 was an innovative development. The new National Centre for Arts and Health The Director of Arts and Health, based at the Hospital, is an exciting initiative, which seeks to tailor arts activities to each patient’s needs and to use the arts to improve the environment for patients, staff and visitors.
It is proposed that arts practice in health settings must be flexible, to adapt to the specific needs of the context and client groups, and to embrace a wide variety of approaches.
Currently in Ireland the role of arts activities in healthcare is seen as ancillary and extra. It is hoped that in time, through research and evaluation, the arts may become a more integral part of the healthcare experience.
It would be especially interesting to explore whether the arts have a role in reducing recovery time or assisting rehabilitation. The Centre is starting a major research project later this year to explore the use of the arts in promoting health, healing and social gain among clients, patients, their relatives and staff.
References
The Arts and Health, A Practical Guide, published by The Arts Council, Dublin, 2003
A Study of the Effects of the Visual and Performing Arts in Healthcare, (unpublished) Available from the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Arts, London.
The Practice of Arts in Healthcare, published by The Eastern Regional Health Authority, Dublin, 2003.
Towards an Arts and Health Position Paper July 2010
Hilary Moss, Director of Arts and Health, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght
And Fiona Delaney, Public Consultation Co-ordinator, SDCC
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a ‘state of complete psychological, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. This definition indicates that health services should consider ‘health’ as a wide concept that combines the medical, social, psychological, environmental and spiritual dimensions of well being. The arts are used in a variety of ways with patients, for the intrinsic value of engaging in art for it’s own sake as well as to meet the needs of the whole person and as a tool to enhance individual health and well being.
An acute hospital (such as the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght) houses patients and staff who are creative individuals in their own right. Patients can sometimes experience a long stay in hospital and all focus can be on the part of the body that is ill, while their sense of identity, (with individual preferences and other interests) can be lost or suspended. Anxiety and fear are a common experience for all of us when we access health services.
There is a wealth of international experience to support the use of the arts in health. For example, the US and the UK have a long history of employing both Arts Officers and Arts Therapists in many healthcare settings. Evidence of benefit is growing in this relatively new field. Leading Irish examples of the use of the arts in health currently include our own hospital, as well as the Waterford Healing Arts Trust and the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. The HSE recently published The Practice of Arts in Healthcare to give guidelines to health services when introducing arts programmes.
Benefits of using the arts in health
The Arts Council publication The Arts and Health Handbook summarises some of the benefits of the arts in health as follows:
To the health organisation:
• Reduction in stress within the environment
• More positive experience of the healthcare environment for staff, service users and visitors
• Improved perceptions of the organisation
• Stronger sense of community
• More attractive to staff as potential place of employment
• More attractive to potential clients
To service users:
• Sense of ownership of the environment
• Retaining a sense of identity beyond their current circumstances
• Development of creativity and talent
• Enhanced relationships with staff
• More positive experience of health service
• Increased well-being and self-confidence
• Enhanced recovery
• Increased access to the arts
• Increased capacity for creative and critical thinking skills
• Some participants develop a latent talent
To staff:
• Improved working environment
• Stronger sense of community
• Increased creativity
• Enhanced awareness and appreciation of both service users and staff as individuals
• Possibility of developing new or existing skills
To the community
• Reduction in sense of intimidation or alienation from a public service
• Increased sense of ownership of a healthcare centre
• Increased access to the arts
Arts and Health at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght
The appointment and support of a Director of Arts and Health at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in 2003 was an innovative development. The new National Centre for Arts and Health The Director of Arts and Health, based at the Hospital, is an exciting initiative, which seeks to tailor arts activities to each patient’s needs and to use the arts to improve the environment for patients, staff and visitors.
It is proposed that arts practice in health settings must be flexible, to adapt to the specific needs of the context and client groups, and to embrace a wide variety of approaches.
Currently in Ireland the role of arts activities in healthcare is seen as ancillary and extra. It is hoped that in time, through research and evaluation, the arts may become a more integral part of the healthcare experience.
It would be especially interesting to explore whether the arts have a role in reducing recovery time or assisting rehabilitation. The Centre is starting a major research project later this year to explore the use of the arts in promoting health, healing and social gain among clients, patients, their relatives and staff.
References
The Arts and Health, A Practical Guide, published by The Arts Council, Dublin, 2003
A Study of the Effects of the Visual and Performing Arts in Healthcare, (unpublished) Available from the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Arts, London.
The Practice of Arts in Healthcare, published by The Eastern Regional Health Authority, Dublin, 2003.
Towards an Arts and Health Position Paper July 2010
Hilary Moss, Director of Arts and Health, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght
And Fiona Delaney, Public Consultation Co-ordinator, SDCC
Arts and Health Focus Group
South Dublin County Council Arts Office has initiated a consultation process for a new five year arts development strategy for the county.One of a series of focus groups will be held around the theme of arts and health on Wednesday August 25th.
Venue: Arts & Health Centre, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght.
Time: 10-1pm
Places can be booked directly with Hilary Moss, Director of Arts and Health at The Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght. Tel: 4142076 or by email on hilary.moss@amnch.ie
Cannula by Gavin (age 15)I’m as sharp as a knife
As thin as a hair
I enter your skin smoothly and it
comes out like Ribena
*Cannula; a flexible tube which when inserted into the body is used either to withdraw fluid or insert medicine.
From ‘Patient’s Voices – Poems by patients of the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght, incorporating the National Children’s Hospital.
Programme
10am Arrival, welcome and registration
Printed material presentation of work, relevant to arts and health, created over the period of the last SDCC arts strategy.
10.10 Introduction to the Public Consultation process and methodology by Fiona Delaney, followed by Q&A.
10.20 Registration of Interest
Fill out reg. of interests form – a short series of thought-provoking questions. Followed by Q&A.
10.40 Presentation by Hilary Moss
Review of current arts & health services and highlights of relevant aspects of previous work.
10.50 Presentation by Artist, Aimee O’Neill and Clinical Nurse Manager Eoin Power
Showcase of project by Artist in Residence with the Children’s Outpatients Dept. at the National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght. Q&A.
11.00 Coffee Break (20mins)
11.20 Discussion 1 (40 mins)
What role could the arts play in our health services in the county?
12.00 Discussion 2(40 mins)
What are the priorities for arts and health in the county for the next 5 years?
12.40 Closing Discussion Making a choice – it’s our future.
Notes:Outcomes from the Arts and Health Focus Group will be added to the document ‘Towards an Arts and Health Position Paper’ and will be uploaded onto www.SouthDublinArtsConsultation.blogspot.com for comment. We thank you for your contributions and welcome your input and debate.
Venue: Arts & Health Centre, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght.
Time: 10-1pm
Places can be booked directly with Hilary Moss, Director of Arts and Health at The Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght. Tel: 4142076 or by email on hilary.moss@amnch.ie
Cannula by Gavin (age 15)I’m as sharp as a knife
As thin as a hair
I enter your skin smoothly and it
comes out like Ribena
*Cannula; a flexible tube which when inserted into the body is used either to withdraw fluid or insert medicine.
From ‘Patient’s Voices – Poems by patients of the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght, incorporating the National Children’s Hospital.
Programme
10am Arrival, welcome and registration
Printed material presentation of work, relevant to arts and health, created over the period of the last SDCC arts strategy.
10.10 Introduction to the Public Consultation process and methodology by Fiona Delaney, followed by Q&A.
10.20 Registration of Interest
Fill out reg. of interests form – a short series of thought-provoking questions. Followed by Q&A.
10.40 Presentation by Hilary Moss
Review of current arts & health services and highlights of relevant aspects of previous work.
10.50 Presentation by Artist, Aimee O’Neill and Clinical Nurse Manager Eoin Power
Showcase of project by Artist in Residence with the Children’s Outpatients Dept. at the National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght. Q&A.
11.00 Coffee Break (20mins)
11.20 Discussion 1 (40 mins)
What role could the arts play in our health services in the county?
12.00 Discussion 2(40 mins)
What are the priorities for arts and health in the county for the next 5 years?
12.40 Closing Discussion Making a choice – it’s our future.
Notes:Outcomes from the Arts and Health Focus Group will be added to the document ‘Towards an Arts and Health Position Paper’ and will be uploaded onto www.SouthDublinArtsConsultation.blogspot.com for comment. We thank you for your contributions and welcome your input and debate.
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