A Reason to be @...Your Venue

Culture and Heritage Model:

Working with Galleries, Museums, Archives and other venues to improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of visitors

"Doing that activity made me realise that it is ok to take risks, not to be perfect

and not to take myself seriously" (Participant)

The core model used in the pilot and subsequent two projects

at Oriel Ynys Môn Gallery:

Using exhibits and art techniques as a starting point for generating creativity, individual ideas and social interaction. 14 sessions.

Recruitment:

Liaising with referral agencies and participants. Build up trust and information gathering. Needs led. Do not have to be good at Art to take part.

Criteria:

Aimed at people experiencing feelings of redundancy, isolation or feeling stuck and needing a new direction. People not already attending art or recreational classes and who do not necessarily qualify for other services.

Membership:

Members move on and new members attend the next group. No new members after induction.

Introduction Day:

Participants to decide if it is for them.

Settling in:

Project 'start and end' activities to aid transition

Pathway:

Information packs and speakers to advise about next step opportunities

Risk informed:

Facilitator: Artist informed by her Art Therapy practice

Communication:

Clear communication pathways (no surprises), role descriptions and criteria for referral agencies and participants.

Daily outline:

1. Refreshments - help self/ social

2. Tour- informative/ interactive to inspire

3. Fortnightly skill build – varied/ inspired /playful. Experimentation- self-expressive

4. Self initiated activities-guidance/choice. Experimentation- self-expressive

5. Creative feedback activities- about artifacts/activities/their creations

6. Individual feedback- acknowledgement of positive changes and achievement’s observed in the group

In the Art B projects at Oriel Ynys Môn, participants experienced belonging, connectedness

and formed a commonality other than that which brought them there: Creativity.