Discussion Paper
Introduction
This discussion paper is presented in the context of projecting into the future and visioning our cultural environment.
Cultural entitlement as an overarching concept for an arts strategy, or alternatively as a policy within the new strategy, was raised on a number of occasions during the course of this consultation process and as such it merits further exploration.
Many consider it part of a citizenship agenda, supporting childhood development. Others focus on cultural diversities and identities, access to cultural experiences or preparing future consumers of culture, but not necessarily participating in it.
The word entitlement, meaning a right, a privilege or a claim, is contentious in that it brings up issues about responsibility of the individual, of organisations providing cultural and educational services, of policy makers and planners. A basic definition of cultural entitlement is: the universal right to have access to high quality arts experiences.
Cultural Policy
Cultural policy is established internationally, e.g. the UN convention of the rights of the child entitles children to access arts and culture. It is incorporated into Europen treaties and delivered through the EU Commission.
National policy in Englang has established the concept of cultural entitlement and this has been adopted by a number of local authorities, largely in relation to the cultural entitlement of children and young people.
Scotland’s First Minister, Jack McConnell, presented in a vision statement that:
“We should make the development of our creative drive the next major enterprise for our society. Arts for all can be a reality, a democratic right and an achievement of the 21st century”.
In Ireland the Arts Act 2003 requires each local authority to have an Arts Plan. South Dublin County Councils mission statement supports inclusive and participative decision making through the democratic process and it supports and sustains the cultural fabric of the county.
The arts strategy sits into the Councils Corporate Plan which is a broad based statement whereby the Council supports socially inclusive access to high quality arts experiences. It values its communities and individuals as cultural creators. It recognizes the need create an environment that supports a concentration of artists living and working in the county and the contribution the arts can make to the cultural identity of the county. This is reflected in the current arts strategy.
Support Systems
Cultural Entitlement is not only about policy, it’s also about support systems. Family plays an important role in increasing creative and cultural engagement. However there may be perceived barriers to visiting institutions such as cost, transport, and the unfamiliar environment. There is an argument that cultural experiences need to be made accessible to parents as well as to children, in local centres, through group experiences and community specific projects. Children have a positive effect on parents as they bring home their creative work from school or when there is a sharing of work through performances and exhibitions.
Creative learning in schools develops the skills of children and young people by raising their aspirations and achievements, and opening up more opportunities for their futures.
Creative approaches to learning in schools supports the engagement of schools with artists and creative professionals and professional development support for teachers enables the delivery of the arts curriculum.
Cultural Learning and Technology
There is an understanding of cultural learning as a lifelong activity taking place in formal and informal learning and cultural settings providing opportunities for individuals and communities to achieve their creative potential. Libraries are an example of such cultural settings, supporting family literacy, access to literature and resources such as digital collections and technology.
As technology continues to develop it creates opportunities to reach new audiences and for a broad range of people to become the creators and distributers of cultural content to virtual communities who share cultural values.
Cultural Entitlement in Context
Cultural Entitlement can be explored in relation to specific sectors such as healthcare and disability, rural areas, older people and cultural diversity. The arts and health focus group which was part this public consultation process presented very clear feedback in relation to cultural entitlement in a healthcare context.
It identifies enhanced participation, ownership, promoting a sense of entitlement amongst the community, advocacy for the arts being part of our lives – across the social spectrum and dreaming the dream of access to quality arts facilities in healthcare settings. These ideas represent a perspective that is relevant to other contexts.
Rights and Responsibilities
Entitlements are a right and a privilege that come with expectations and responsibilities for individuals and organizations. This raises a number of questions. Will creating a right weaken the concept of responsibility and create a cultural of entitlement, a concept with negative connotations. Who will deliver this entitlement? Will it be adopted across arts organizations and other services? Is it sustainable – which reduces cultural entitlement to economics. Cultural rights would represent a radical departure from current policy which favors broadening access and enhancing opportunities for participation. Is cultural entitlement the language and meaning that we require at this time in South Dublin County?
Orla Scannell
Arts Officer
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Outcome of Arts and Health Focus Group
The fourth of a series of public consultation focus groups was held on the 25th August in the Education Centre at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght. The event targeted arts and health practitioners and facilitators operating within the county. Sixteen attended, representing a cross-section of arts and health organisations, arts and health practitioners as well as health service professionals.
The agenda was broad based, focusing on priorities and future needs for the arts and health sector.
The outcome of the facilitated Arts & Health Focus Group discussion is outlined below under a series of themes or headings. These serve to summarise the key priorities and concerns for the cross-section of participants attending the event. The discussion while facilitated, was free-flowing.
‘What role could the arts play in our health services in the county?’ was the original title for the discussion, however it soon became apparent that attendees felt strongly that arts and health should not be only be seen to take place within health service centres but rather has a much broader remit and scope. One which needs to be properly described, documented and advocated for.
Advocacy
•Advocacy on behalf of arts and health is required. An arts and health remit encompasses more than arts opportunities in healthcare settings.
•Arts and health is about general wellbeing – and is important in the community as well as in specific healthcare settings.
•Arts and health offers the opportunity for art to become part of people’s lifestyle – that health professionals would, as part of their professional remit, direct people towards creative opportunities.
•Arts and health can reinforce positive mental health and attitude.
•Expand ideas about what art is and has the capacity to fulfil, combating prejudice and ignorance about the arts generally.
•The new SDCC arts strategy must seek to define and promote a position in relation to arts and health.
Developing Role for Arts and Health Centre @ AMHT
•Have a responsive ear to ideas from outside the hospital walls, from the surrounding communities. Establish an outreach structure and seek to network with local community groups.
•Continue to enhance the experience for those seeking treatment or visiting hospitals; improving the environment – art on the walls, artists working within waiting rooms and on wards etc…
•Acknowledge existing successful programme and extend it to community and home care services.
•Promote best practice in arts and health – advocate and publicise the benefits and breadth of scope of the sector.
•Establish easily accessible information points and an information network.
•Define the objectives and strategy of the programme; monitor and evaluate.
Recognise that arts and health offers both benefits and opportunities for health professionals and staff in healthcare settings.
•Music in the Atrium, children in waiting rooms engaging with arts means children, family members and staff less stressed – also some of the work is exhibited appropriately – enhancing the environment for everyone.
•Establish a staff culture club.
•Exploit opportunities for creative connections between staff, patients and artists.
•Healthcare settings offer an opportunity to engage creatively with families/parents/children – sustaining notions of cultural entitlement.
•In partnership with healthcare professionals seek to develop new ideas about the role of the arts in healthcare and in life.
Cultural entitlement
•Exploit the potential of collaborative practice in order to enhance participation, a sense of ownership and group cohesion.
•Promote and encourage a sense of cultural entitlement amongst the community – inside and out of formal healthcare settings.
•Arts and health advocates are also ambassadors for the arts being part of your life – across the social spectrum.
•Dream the stupid dreams! – the arts and health centre @ AMHT could come to include music rooms, recording facilities, and art and studios. That those in residential or long-term treatment can benefit from ongoing access to top quality creative opportunities in excellent facilities.
Arts and Health & mainstream education•
Include arts and health in training for art teachers and in-service training days. Arts and health is an excellent theme for art teachers – eg in Transition Yr.
•Promote arts and health practice in schools in RAPID areas – a vehicle to promote health, well-being, positive mental health and attitude, participation and empowerment in the mainstream education system.
Creative Arts Therapies•
The creative arts therapies are quite divided from arts and health. There is and should be room for cross-over.
•Ask GPs to consider prescribing a creative therapy as a treatment for depression and other illnesses.
•The creative therapies offer a potential career.
•Art therapists are not yet recognised as a ‘profession’ by the HSE.
Arts and health professionals
•Promote the integration of voluntary and paid arts and health workers within the hospital.
•Advocate for more paid positions for arts and health workers.
Vision for Arts and Health Centre
•The hospital here is like a small town on fare day. People come here with a common purpose ‘health’.
•When you bring art into the hospital – you are bringing art into the community.
•Pathways can be created from here out into the community.
•For people who are in treatment or who are healing and who experience a positive arts and health initiative the process can be an enlightening one – a sort of AA; Artists Anonymous – ‘I used to be a patient but I am an artist now’. This is empowering and life-enhancing.
Networking and information-sharing
•Forger strong links with appropriate arts and community organisations.
•Establish an arts and health database.
•Pursue collaborative projects; seek out intergenerational opportunities of working; youth group involvement..
•Seek to communicate in an arts literate fashion – publicising arts and health practice by visual and other means.
•Local authority and others must develop a pro-active and diverse approach to hearing feedback from diverse communities. Develop an ‘art ear’ consulting without words eg film, visual art etc…
Outcomes:
•Attendees agreed to share contact information.
•It is likely further meetings will be held in association with the new Arts and Health Centre at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght.
•A number of attendees expressed an interest in attending the first Artist’s Forum meeting on 29th September at Rua Red.
Fiona Delaney
Public Consultation Co-ordinator
The agenda was broad based, focusing on priorities and future needs for the arts and health sector.
The outcome of the facilitated Arts & Health Focus Group discussion is outlined below under a series of themes or headings. These serve to summarise the key priorities and concerns for the cross-section of participants attending the event. The discussion while facilitated, was free-flowing.
‘What role could the arts play in our health services in the county?’ was the original title for the discussion, however it soon became apparent that attendees felt strongly that arts and health should not be only be seen to take place within health service centres but rather has a much broader remit and scope. One which needs to be properly described, documented and advocated for.
Advocacy
•Advocacy on behalf of arts and health is required. An arts and health remit encompasses more than arts opportunities in healthcare settings.
•Arts and health is about general wellbeing – and is important in the community as well as in specific healthcare settings.
•Arts and health offers the opportunity for art to become part of people’s lifestyle – that health professionals would, as part of their professional remit, direct people towards creative opportunities.
•Arts and health can reinforce positive mental health and attitude.
•Expand ideas about what art is and has the capacity to fulfil, combating prejudice and ignorance about the arts generally.
•The new SDCC arts strategy must seek to define and promote a position in relation to arts and health.
Developing Role for Arts and Health Centre @ AMHT
•Have a responsive ear to ideas from outside the hospital walls, from the surrounding communities. Establish an outreach structure and seek to network with local community groups.
•Continue to enhance the experience for those seeking treatment or visiting hospitals; improving the environment – art on the walls, artists working within waiting rooms and on wards etc…
•Acknowledge existing successful programme and extend it to community and home care services.
•Promote best practice in arts and health – advocate and publicise the benefits and breadth of scope of the sector.
•Establish easily accessible information points and an information network.
•Define the objectives and strategy of the programme; monitor and evaluate.
Recognise that arts and health offers both benefits and opportunities for health professionals and staff in healthcare settings.
•Music in the Atrium, children in waiting rooms engaging with arts means children, family members and staff less stressed – also some of the work is exhibited appropriately – enhancing the environment for everyone.
•Establish a staff culture club.
•Exploit opportunities for creative connections between staff, patients and artists.
•Healthcare settings offer an opportunity to engage creatively with families/parents/children – sustaining notions of cultural entitlement.
•In partnership with healthcare professionals seek to develop new ideas about the role of the arts in healthcare and in life.
Cultural entitlement
•Exploit the potential of collaborative practice in order to enhance participation, a sense of ownership and group cohesion.
•Promote and encourage a sense of cultural entitlement amongst the community – inside and out of formal healthcare settings.
•Arts and health advocates are also ambassadors for the arts being part of your life – across the social spectrum.
•Dream the stupid dreams! – the arts and health centre @ AMHT could come to include music rooms, recording facilities, and art and studios. That those in residential or long-term treatment can benefit from ongoing access to top quality creative opportunities in excellent facilities.
Arts and Health & mainstream education•
Include arts and health in training for art teachers and in-service training days. Arts and health is an excellent theme for art teachers – eg in Transition Yr.
•Promote arts and health practice in schools in RAPID areas – a vehicle to promote health, well-being, positive mental health and attitude, participation and empowerment in the mainstream education system.
Creative Arts Therapies•
The creative arts therapies are quite divided from arts and health. There is and should be room for cross-over.
•Ask GPs to consider prescribing a creative therapy as a treatment for depression and other illnesses.
•The creative therapies offer a potential career.
•Art therapists are not yet recognised as a ‘profession’ by the HSE.
Arts and health professionals
•Promote the integration of voluntary and paid arts and health workers within the hospital.
•Advocate for more paid positions for arts and health workers.
Vision for Arts and Health Centre
•The hospital here is like a small town on fare day. People come here with a common purpose ‘health’.
•When you bring art into the hospital – you are bringing art into the community.
•Pathways can be created from here out into the community.
•For people who are in treatment or who are healing and who experience a positive arts and health initiative the process can be an enlightening one – a sort of AA; Artists Anonymous – ‘I used to be a patient but I am an artist now’. This is empowering and life-enhancing.
Networking and information-sharing
•Forger strong links with appropriate arts and community organisations.
•Establish an arts and health database.
•Pursue collaborative projects; seek out intergenerational opportunities of working; youth group involvement..
•Seek to communicate in an arts literate fashion – publicising arts and health practice by visual and other means.
•Local authority and others must develop a pro-active and diverse approach to hearing feedback from diverse communities. Develop an ‘art ear’ consulting without words eg film, visual art etc…
Outcomes:
•Attendees agreed to share contact information.
•It is likely further meetings will be held in association with the new Arts and Health Centre at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght.
•A number of attendees expressed an interest in attending the first Artist’s Forum meeting on 29th September at Rua Red.
Fiona Delaney
Public Consultation Co-ordinator
Youth Arts Position Paper
Youth Arts Position Paper
Victoria Durrer, Youth Arts Co-ordinator,
South Dublin County Council
Context
South Dublin County Council strives to support the provision of youth arts activities that champion the voices of young people in the development of their own creativity. The foundation of the youth arts programme is inclusive and collaborative practice, underpinned by youth-leadership and high quality arts experiences.
The youth arts programme is diverse, offering a range of performance, exhibition and showcasing opportunities for young people whilst actively promoting an atmosphere where sharing skills and learning from one another’s practice are a part of the creative experience. Opportunities to work with professional artists are paramount and we believe that by fostering creative and artistic relationships, young people may learn to develop skills for pursuing future pathways in the arts.
Background:
In 2006, South Dublin County Council’s Arts Office published its first Youth Arts Policy. Arising from consultation with youth and arts organisations in the area, this Policy contained a series of recommendations for supporting and further developing best practice in youth arts within the County.
To date, the Art Office has achieved the following:
•Hired a Youth Arts Coordinator to oversee the execution of the new Youth Arts Policy.
•Increased opportunities for young people to work with professional artists both by managing youth arts initiatives directly and supporting youth organisations/ schools and community groups to deliver high standard youth arts programming.
•Participated in and encouraged collaboration and partnership across organisations for the development of youth arts initiatives.
•Initiated new partnerships with appropriate individuals and organisations, further developing youth arts practice locally.
•Championed the voices and leadership of young people in youth arts activities, projects, groups, and policy development.
•Promoted greater communication and sharing across the youth arts sector both within and outside of the County.
•Promoted the use of various civic venues, including community centres and libraries, as youth arts facilities.
•Promoted the sustainability of youth arts initiatives through the development of training programmes, assistance with documentation and evaluation of projects and support groups in gaining funding from national and regional bodies.
In addition, the Arts Office has striven to:
•Encourage and action inclusive youth arts activities.
•Build young audiences for arts through school and youth service-based projects and professional development initiatives for teachers and youth workers.
•Support the establishment of a new youth dance company ‘Animotion’, based in RuaRed, South Dublin Arts Centre.
•Support the growth of the Arts Office’s Music Education Service to include service delivery outside of mainstream 2nd level education.
•Promote the sustainability of projects initiated through partnership working and relevant training initiatives.
NOISE South Dublin – a web-based youth arts community.
A major feature of the Youth Arts programme at South Dublin County is the interactive, youth-member based NOISE South Dublin website, providing young people within the County opportunities to present new work, connect with their peers, and engage in arts practice linked with new media and technology through taking part in on-line projects. NOISE South Dublin is found at www.noisesouthdublin.com
NOISE South Dublin has run a number of festivals in ‘real time’ which have also had an on-line presence through the website. These festivals provide young people with direct interaction with industry professionals, through opportunities for feedback on work created, opportunities to learn about career pathways, and the chance to hear from professionals working in the fields of music, dance and film.
•NOISE Flics Youth Film Festival
•NOISEmoves Youth Dance Festival
•NOISE Battle of the Bands
It also offers an opportunity to gain feedback from professionals in the field through the NOISE South Dublin artist in residence scheme and offers a stimulating and diverse programme of youth-related, youth-created, arts work to inspire, encourage and challenge the young members of the site. These residencies take place both on and off line with area school groups and youth services and often include opportunities for young people to publicly exhibit work outside of the virtual world.
NOISE South Dublin delivers on a number of priorities of the County’s youth arts policy:
•Inform and communicate with young people and others about current youth arts opportunities.
•Provide access to appropriate exhibition, performance and showcasing opportunities.
•Advocate for top quality, youth-lead, arts initiatives.
Arising from a series of Youth Focus Groups held in July 2010, attended by 16 young artists and young participants in diverse youth arts activities; music, performing arts, visual art and film – a number of key priorities were identified for the future of Youth Arts in South Dublin County. These are summarised below. If you would like to comment and/or contribute to the debate please do so on this blogsite.
South Dublin Arts Consultation - Registration of Interests – Youth Arts
There were 16 participants in total who attended three youth focus group meetings, the first was dealing with Performing arts, the second with music and the third with film.
Breakdown of participant information:• 4 female / 12 male.
•7 age 15 or less/ 9 age 16 or more. Average age 16 yrs: oldest 20, youngest 13.
•All participants are resident in SDCC area.
•14 have an email address. All said they use the internet, but some more often than others.
•2 are members of NOISE South Dublin youth arts website.
•8 said they had taken part in an activity organised by or associated with SDCC Arts Office.
The organisers of the activities are identified as:
•Local youth club,
•School,
•Home,
•local dance class,
•Encore,
•Music teachers,
•NOISE,
•TYFM,
•Gig organisers,
•Irish Association of Youth Orchestras,
•Dancing School,
•Youth Art Co-ordinator or the mentor of that project,
•Hobbies and personal interest
•Civic Theatre (Tenderfoot),
•Me and my friends,
•Rua Red,
•TCA
•TYS
Previous and current arts activities undertaken by participants:
Music 9 Songwriting 5 Visual Art 4
Dance 4 Choreography 3 Photography 3
Drama 9 Writing 4 Sculpture 0 Other performance 2
Filmmaking 10 Painting 0 Art Project participant 1
Audience member 6 Multi-media/digital arts 3
Other: please describe 0
•Film-making, Music and Drama are the most common activities.
•Being an audience member and song-writing are the next most popular, with Dance, Visual Art and Writing following closely.
•Choreography, Photography, Digital Arts have a specialised following.
Activities the participants hope to explore in the future:
Music 13 Songwriting 7 Visual Art 5
Dance 3 Choreography 3 Photography 8
Drama 9 Writing 9 Sculpture 1 Other performance 1Filmmaking 10 Painting 1 Art Project participant 0
Audience member 2 Multi-media/digital arts 3
Other: please describe Animation, Animation and sketching, Musical Theatre
•Within this group of participants, Music is certainly the most popular area for future exploration, followed on by Film-making, Writing and Drama. Photography is next, followed closely by Songwriting and Visual Art.
•Dance, Choreography and Digital Media offer equal interest, followed on by being an audience member, Sculpture, Painting and other types of performance.
•Other areas of interest not on the list were Animation, Sketching and Musical Theatre.
When asked to name issues which affect their participation in arts activities:
• Enjoyment
• Novelty
• Cost
• Access to practice space
• Time/ availability
• Access to Information
• Lack of organization eg classical music for young people.
• Access to equipment and expertise
• More freedom within group
• Facilities
• Funds
Priorities for a future focus in Youth Arts:
Participants were offered a set of multiple choice themes and asked to rank the ‘Main themes’ 1-5 in order of importance. Under each main theme there is set of ‘examples’ which were also ranked in order of importance. Listed in order of the participant’s priorities:
1. Access to high quality arts experiences with professional artists.
•Opportunity to collaborate with professional artists on projects eg film, dance, music, digital media
•Work experience in the arts
•Sharing skills by teaching other young people
2. Opportunities for artistic development for young artists of all disciplines.
•Exhibiting/showcasing your own work
•Improving skills through classes and workshops & Entering competitions
•Master classes with professional artists, learning about their work and how they may have started out
3. Development of local arts clubs/workspaces appropriate to young people in the county.
•Youth Arts groups such as dance, film and music, in your area.
•Arts & cultural centres in your area.
4. Communication / regular information about arts events across the county.
•A website
•A printed newsletter
5. Opportunities to share ideas from different artforms, different communities and different cultural backgrounds.
•Exploring different cultures eg studying reggae music, or fashion from different countries or cultures.
•Taking part in multi-disciplinary projects eg dance & film
•Meeting and collaborating with other groups eg IWA and Foroige joint project
When asked if they had any questions about taking part in this Public Consultation process, only two responded:
•How much will the new activities cost?
•Will taking part in this actually have any effect on independent film makers like myself?
Victoria Durrer, Youth Arts Co-ordinator,
South Dublin County Council
Context
South Dublin County Council strives to support the provision of youth arts activities that champion the voices of young people in the development of their own creativity. The foundation of the youth arts programme is inclusive and collaborative practice, underpinned by youth-leadership and high quality arts experiences.
The youth arts programme is diverse, offering a range of performance, exhibition and showcasing opportunities for young people whilst actively promoting an atmosphere where sharing skills and learning from one another’s practice are a part of the creative experience. Opportunities to work with professional artists are paramount and we believe that by fostering creative and artistic relationships, young people may learn to develop skills for pursuing future pathways in the arts.
Background:
In 2006, South Dublin County Council’s Arts Office published its first Youth Arts Policy. Arising from consultation with youth and arts organisations in the area, this Policy contained a series of recommendations for supporting and further developing best practice in youth arts within the County.
To date, the Art Office has achieved the following:
•Hired a Youth Arts Coordinator to oversee the execution of the new Youth Arts Policy.
•Increased opportunities for young people to work with professional artists both by managing youth arts initiatives directly and supporting youth organisations/ schools and community groups to deliver high standard youth arts programming.
•Participated in and encouraged collaboration and partnership across organisations for the development of youth arts initiatives.
•Initiated new partnerships with appropriate individuals and organisations, further developing youth arts practice locally.
•Championed the voices and leadership of young people in youth arts activities, projects, groups, and policy development.
•Promoted greater communication and sharing across the youth arts sector both within and outside of the County.
•Promoted the use of various civic venues, including community centres and libraries, as youth arts facilities.
•Promoted the sustainability of youth arts initiatives through the development of training programmes, assistance with documentation and evaluation of projects and support groups in gaining funding from national and regional bodies.
In addition, the Arts Office has striven to:
•Encourage and action inclusive youth arts activities.
•Build young audiences for arts through school and youth service-based projects and professional development initiatives for teachers and youth workers.
•Support the establishment of a new youth dance company ‘Animotion’, based in RuaRed, South Dublin Arts Centre.
•Support the growth of the Arts Office’s Music Education Service to include service delivery outside of mainstream 2nd level education.
•Promote the sustainability of projects initiated through partnership working and relevant training initiatives.
NOISE South Dublin – a web-based youth arts community.
A major feature of the Youth Arts programme at South Dublin County is the interactive, youth-member based NOISE South Dublin website, providing young people within the County opportunities to present new work, connect with their peers, and engage in arts practice linked with new media and technology through taking part in on-line projects. NOISE South Dublin is found at www.noisesouthdublin.com
NOISE South Dublin has run a number of festivals in ‘real time’ which have also had an on-line presence through the website. These festivals provide young people with direct interaction with industry professionals, through opportunities for feedback on work created, opportunities to learn about career pathways, and the chance to hear from professionals working in the fields of music, dance and film.
•NOISE Flics Youth Film Festival
•NOISEmoves Youth Dance Festival
•NOISE Battle of the Bands
It also offers an opportunity to gain feedback from professionals in the field through the NOISE South Dublin artist in residence scheme and offers a stimulating and diverse programme of youth-related, youth-created, arts work to inspire, encourage and challenge the young members of the site. These residencies take place both on and off line with area school groups and youth services and often include opportunities for young people to publicly exhibit work outside of the virtual world.
NOISE South Dublin delivers on a number of priorities of the County’s youth arts policy:
•Inform and communicate with young people and others about current youth arts opportunities.
•Provide access to appropriate exhibition, performance and showcasing opportunities.
•Advocate for top quality, youth-lead, arts initiatives.
Arising from a series of Youth Focus Groups held in July 2010, attended by 16 young artists and young participants in diverse youth arts activities; music, performing arts, visual art and film – a number of key priorities were identified for the future of Youth Arts in South Dublin County. These are summarised below. If you would like to comment and/or contribute to the debate please do so on this blogsite.
South Dublin Arts Consultation - Registration of Interests – Youth Arts
There were 16 participants in total who attended three youth focus group meetings, the first was dealing with Performing arts, the second with music and the third with film.
Breakdown of participant information:• 4 female / 12 male.
•7 age 15 or less/ 9 age 16 or more. Average age 16 yrs: oldest 20, youngest 13.
•All participants are resident in SDCC area.
•14 have an email address. All said they use the internet, but some more often than others.
•2 are members of NOISE South Dublin youth arts website.
•8 said they had taken part in an activity organised by or associated with SDCC Arts Office.
The organisers of the activities are identified as:
•Local youth club,
•School,
•Home,
•local dance class,
•Encore,
•Music teachers,
•NOISE,
•TYFM,
•Gig organisers,
•Irish Association of Youth Orchestras,
•Dancing School,
•Youth Art Co-ordinator or the mentor of that project,
•Hobbies and personal interest
•Civic Theatre (Tenderfoot),
•Me and my friends,
•Rua Red,
•TCA
•TYS
Previous and current arts activities undertaken by participants:
Music 9 Songwriting 5 Visual Art 4
Dance 4 Choreography 3 Photography 3
Drama 9 Writing 4 Sculpture 0 Other performance 2
Filmmaking 10 Painting 0 Art Project participant 1
Audience member 6 Multi-media/digital arts 3
Other: please describe 0
•Film-making, Music and Drama are the most common activities.
•Being an audience member and song-writing are the next most popular, with Dance, Visual Art and Writing following closely.
•Choreography, Photography, Digital Arts have a specialised following.
Activities the participants hope to explore in the future:
Music 13 Songwriting 7 Visual Art 5
Dance 3 Choreography 3 Photography 8
Drama 9 Writing 9 Sculpture 1 Other performance 1Filmmaking 10 Painting 1 Art Project participant 0
Audience member 2 Multi-media/digital arts 3
Other: please describe Animation, Animation and sketching, Musical Theatre
•Within this group of participants, Music is certainly the most popular area for future exploration, followed on by Film-making, Writing and Drama. Photography is next, followed closely by Songwriting and Visual Art.
•Dance, Choreography and Digital Media offer equal interest, followed on by being an audience member, Sculpture, Painting and other types of performance.
•Other areas of interest not on the list were Animation, Sketching and Musical Theatre.
When asked to name issues which affect their participation in arts activities:
• Enjoyment
• Novelty
• Cost
• Access to practice space
• Time/ availability
• Access to Information
• Lack of organization eg classical music for young people.
• Access to equipment and expertise
• More freedom within group
• Facilities
• Funds
Priorities for a future focus in Youth Arts:
Participants were offered a set of multiple choice themes and asked to rank the ‘Main themes’ 1-5 in order of importance. Under each main theme there is set of ‘examples’ which were also ranked in order of importance. Listed in order of the participant’s priorities:
1. Access to high quality arts experiences with professional artists.
•Opportunity to collaborate with professional artists on projects eg film, dance, music, digital media
•Work experience in the arts
•Sharing skills by teaching other young people
2. Opportunities for artistic development for young artists of all disciplines.
•Exhibiting/showcasing your own work
•Improving skills through classes and workshops & Entering competitions
•Master classes with professional artists, learning about their work and how they may have started out
3. Development of local arts clubs/workspaces appropriate to young people in the county.
•Youth Arts groups such as dance, film and music, in your area.
•Arts & cultural centres in your area.
4. Communication / regular information about arts events across the county.
•A website
•A printed newsletter
5. Opportunities to share ideas from different artforms, different communities and different cultural backgrounds.
•Exploring different cultures eg studying reggae music, or fashion from different countries or cultures.
•Taking part in multi-disciplinary projects eg dance & film
•Meeting and collaborating with other groups eg IWA and Foroige joint project
When asked if they had any questions about taking part in this Public Consultation process, only two responded:
•How much will the new activities cost?
•Will taking part in this actually have any effect on independent film makers like myself?
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Dance Position Paper
Dance Position Paper
Louise Costelloe, Dancer in Residence
South Dublin County Council
Context
Dance is a developing art-form in Ireland. Interest in classes and performances has grown considerably over the last 10 years and many different styles and types of dance activity can be seen at a local and national level. There is an emerging awareness of the benefits of participation in dance from a creative, physical and social perspective.
Investment – Dance Residency
South Dublin County Council’s Dance Residency followed a model for contemporary dance development created by the Arts Offices and Sports Partnerships of Westmeath and Roscommon. This three year dance residency, which began in March 2008 has so far supported a growth in dance activity through:
•Piloting a transition year module in dance which has taken place in three secondary schools, Firhouse Community School, Palmerstown Community School and Collinstown Park Community College
•Setting up and developing a youth dance company, ANIMOTION, which is supported by the Arts Office, to provide training and performance opportunities within and outside the county for young dancers
•Providing classes in the community in schools, youth services and sports centres
•Establishing NOISEmoves Youth Dance Festival as a platform for young dancers in the county and as audience development initiative, a link to footage from the 2010 festival can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E077cwkIeaY
•Consultancy and support for venues, VEC Sports Officers and the Sports Partnership in programming dance
•Access to professional dance artists for participants in programmes
•Promoting dance education for teachers through the Laban Foundation Course in Dance and inclusion in the Creative Approaches Arts Education strand in the Arts Office
•Developing links to other organisations who can support dance as an art-form/activity such as RUA RED, Tallaght Community Arts, South Dublin Libraries, An Cosan and the Sports Partnership. This has been actively nurtured through performance projects and continued consultation.
Investment - Infrastructure
The Civic Theatre includes contemporary dance and ballet in its yearly programming and also hosts the NOISEmoves Youth Dance Festival. It is the performance space most suited to dance in the County owing to its size and facilities. The South Dublin Arts Centre, RUA RED has a purpose built dance studio designed to the highest standard. The centre hosts private dance classes as well as the Youth Dance Company. Several community centres have purpose built dance studios and spaces which include St. Marks Community Centre, Fettercairn and Brookfield Youth and Community Centre, Brookfield. Four VEC schools have a dance studio in the adjoining Sports Centre which was part funded by South Dublin County Council, these are Killinarden Community School, Palmerstown Community School, Collinstown Park Community College and Tallaght Community School. They are also used for evening and private classes.
Bursary Award
South Dublin County has a yearly Artist’s Bursary award that has recently included dancers and choreographers as recipients.
Dance Education
Dance is a recent arrival on the primary and Junior Cycle curricula and is not an exam subject as yet. A dance module has been developed through the residency that meets the requirements of the current curriculum and has been delivered to Transition Year and second year students. This year the Dancer in Residence and Sports Partnership has funded a Laban Guild Foundation Course in Dance in order to provide an opportunity for PE Teachers and youth leaders involved in dance a chance to expand their dance skills and gather ideas for delivering this aspect of the curriculum.
Creative Approaches – dance has been included in this art-in-education strand that explores curriculum links and the arts. This has been an initiative of the Arts Office.
The Youth Dance Company aims to provide a space for young dancers to continue training and to provide connections to professional dance experiences.
Dance in the Community
The dancer in residence has worked with an Active Retired Group in Firhouse and the educational centre An Cosan to provide classes in community dance focusing on physical and emotional wellbeing and social connections. In 2010 the Sports Officer for Clondalkin ran a very successful inter-generational project bringing together an Active Retired Group from Clondalkin with Transition Years from Colaiste Bride and Moyle Park Schools to learn and perform ballroom dances. While the main focus on the residency has been in developing youth dance, access for older people is being supported though consultancy with RUA RED, the Council’s Sports Officers and the Sports Partnership.
Cultural Access
Throughout the dance residency opportunities have been developed to provide access to high quality dance performances and experiences. This included workshops and dance talks from Coisceim Dance Theatre as part of their performances in the Civic Theatre, participation in the “Open House” events sponsored by Dance Ireland and Dublin Youth Dance Company for ANIMOTION students which bring together dancers from youth dance companies around Dublin to share their work, guest workshops from professional dance artists and the Gallery Project in RUA RED in which participants worked with a visual artist and choreographer exploring and developing performances from an installation the gallery. Dance workshops and courses were also provided with a particular focus on integrated dance and arts in health in Scoil Mochua, Clondalkin (Part of the Central Remedial Clinic) and ABACUS Kilnamanagh. (A dedicated school for children on the autistic spectrum).
Dance Policy Proposition
With regard to the continuing development of dance as an art-form in the county, South Dublin Arts Office aims to:
•Support the sustainability of youth dance in the county
•Establish and continue to support opportunities for young dancers to showcase their work, develop their skills and engage with different styles and forms of dance.
•Support the sustainability of dance as part of school programmes, ensuring high quality provision
•Maximise access to dance performances and experiences that reflect diversity of interests, activity and ability
•Encourage and support the programming of dance in venues throughout the county
•Foster professional development opportunities for dance artists and companies within the county
Louise Costelloe, Dancer in Residence
South Dublin County Council
Context
Dance is a developing art-form in Ireland. Interest in classes and performances has grown considerably over the last 10 years and many different styles and types of dance activity can be seen at a local and national level. There is an emerging awareness of the benefits of participation in dance from a creative, physical and social perspective.
Investment – Dance Residency
South Dublin County Council’s Dance Residency followed a model for contemporary dance development created by the Arts Offices and Sports Partnerships of Westmeath and Roscommon. This three year dance residency, which began in March 2008 has so far supported a growth in dance activity through:
•Piloting a transition year module in dance which has taken place in three secondary schools, Firhouse Community School, Palmerstown Community School and Collinstown Park Community College
•Setting up and developing a youth dance company, ANIMOTION, which is supported by the Arts Office, to provide training and performance opportunities within and outside the county for young dancers
•Providing classes in the community in schools, youth services and sports centres
•Establishing NOISEmoves Youth Dance Festival as a platform for young dancers in the county and as audience development initiative, a link to footage from the 2010 festival can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E077cwkIeaY
•Consultancy and support for venues, VEC Sports Officers and the Sports Partnership in programming dance
•Access to professional dance artists for participants in programmes
•Promoting dance education for teachers through the Laban Foundation Course in Dance and inclusion in the Creative Approaches Arts Education strand in the Arts Office
•Developing links to other organisations who can support dance as an art-form/activity such as RUA RED, Tallaght Community Arts, South Dublin Libraries, An Cosan and the Sports Partnership. This has been actively nurtured through performance projects and continued consultation.
Investment - Infrastructure
The Civic Theatre includes contemporary dance and ballet in its yearly programming and also hosts the NOISEmoves Youth Dance Festival. It is the performance space most suited to dance in the County owing to its size and facilities. The South Dublin Arts Centre, RUA RED has a purpose built dance studio designed to the highest standard. The centre hosts private dance classes as well as the Youth Dance Company. Several community centres have purpose built dance studios and spaces which include St. Marks Community Centre, Fettercairn and Brookfield Youth and Community Centre, Brookfield. Four VEC schools have a dance studio in the adjoining Sports Centre which was part funded by South Dublin County Council, these are Killinarden Community School, Palmerstown Community School, Collinstown Park Community College and Tallaght Community School. They are also used for evening and private classes.
Bursary Award
South Dublin County has a yearly Artist’s Bursary award that has recently included dancers and choreographers as recipients.
Dance Education
Dance is a recent arrival on the primary and Junior Cycle curricula and is not an exam subject as yet. A dance module has been developed through the residency that meets the requirements of the current curriculum and has been delivered to Transition Year and second year students. This year the Dancer in Residence and Sports Partnership has funded a Laban Guild Foundation Course in Dance in order to provide an opportunity for PE Teachers and youth leaders involved in dance a chance to expand their dance skills and gather ideas for delivering this aspect of the curriculum.
Creative Approaches – dance has been included in this art-in-education strand that explores curriculum links and the arts. This has been an initiative of the Arts Office.
The Youth Dance Company aims to provide a space for young dancers to continue training and to provide connections to professional dance experiences.
Dance in the Community
The dancer in residence has worked with an Active Retired Group in Firhouse and the educational centre An Cosan to provide classes in community dance focusing on physical and emotional wellbeing and social connections. In 2010 the Sports Officer for Clondalkin ran a very successful inter-generational project bringing together an Active Retired Group from Clondalkin with Transition Years from Colaiste Bride and Moyle Park Schools to learn and perform ballroom dances. While the main focus on the residency has been in developing youth dance, access for older people is being supported though consultancy with RUA RED, the Council’s Sports Officers and the Sports Partnership.
Cultural Access
Throughout the dance residency opportunities have been developed to provide access to high quality dance performances and experiences. This included workshops and dance talks from Coisceim Dance Theatre as part of their performances in the Civic Theatre, participation in the “Open House” events sponsored by Dance Ireland and Dublin Youth Dance Company for ANIMOTION students which bring together dancers from youth dance companies around Dublin to share their work, guest workshops from professional dance artists and the Gallery Project in RUA RED in which participants worked with a visual artist and choreographer exploring and developing performances from an installation the gallery. Dance workshops and courses were also provided with a particular focus on integrated dance and arts in health in Scoil Mochua, Clondalkin (Part of the Central Remedial Clinic) and ABACUS Kilnamanagh. (A dedicated school for children on the autistic spectrum).
Dance Policy Proposition
With regard to the continuing development of dance as an art-form in the county, South Dublin Arts Office aims to:
•Support the sustainability of youth dance in the county
•Establish and continue to support opportunities for young dancers to showcase their work, develop their skills and engage with different styles and forms of dance.
•Support the sustainability of dance as part of school programmes, ensuring high quality provision
•Maximise access to dance performances and experiences that reflect diversity of interests, activity and ability
•Encourage and support the programming of dance in venues throughout the county
•Foster professional development opportunities for dance artists and companies within the county
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Outcomes of Artist Focus Group
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
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
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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