Transformation: Occupational Based Community Art Studio for Adults with Mental Illness

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The Creative Works Studio is an occupational based therapeutic art studio in community for adults with mental illness. This study provides evidence for the need of alternative community art resources and suggests the role occupational therapists and artist can play for marginalized groups. The experience and impact of a community art studio initiative for adults with mental illness was investigated. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of the Creative Works Studio and a systematic data analysis process was used to construct emerging themes. Five main themes emerged: 1) Personal transformation through creative activity led to positive self-affirmation; 2) Increased social capital through an art based community; 3) Increased capacity development through community art based activity; 4) Occupational engagement: new avenues to participation and productivity; 5) Improved physical and mental health. Members valued belonging to a restorative arts environment that builds their capacity through opportunities for creativity. Members experienced improved well-being transferable to multiple domains of their lives leading to increased productivity and renewed hope for future roles.

Stream: Art in Communities

Paper: Understanding the Experience and Impact of a Community Art Studio Initiative for Adults with Serious Mental Illness through Narrative Explorations

I am an Occupational Therapist and multi disciplinary artist (visual arts, singer, filmmaker) who over a period of ten years developed in collaboration with St. Michael's Hospital a restorative community arts studio called the Creative Works Studio for adults with long term mental illness. The goal of the studio is to reduce the stigma of mental illness, shift culture from one based on illness to one based on creativity and art, reduce economic barriers by providing fully resourced artist studio that is of no cost to the participant recognizing the lack of ecconomic resources of this marginalized under resourced population who under regular circumstances would not be privy to any access to participating in an art studio or community, and to build their capacities. A research paper has been recently written in partnership with a master candidate at the University of Toronto investigating the impact the studio had on its members. Six semi structured interiews were conducted with the memembers and a systematic data analysis process was used to construct emerging themes. Five main themes emerged:1) Personal transformation through creative activity led to positive self-affirmation; 2)Increased social capital through an art based community;3) Increased capacity development through community art based activity;4)Occupational engagement: New avenues to participation and productivity; 5)Improved physical and mental health. Members valued belonging to a restorative arts environment that builds their capaicty through opportunities for creativity. Members experienced improved well-being transferable to multiple domains of their lives leading to increased productivity and renewed hope for future roles.