workshop #2

Creativity and working in the arts requires vulnerability, innovation, energy, and commitment. Self-care is essential in this, but is often easier said than done. Navigating returning after the COVID break alongside the existing pressures of the arts industry, which are well-known, can impact our mental health. In these times of change how do you take simple, effective and meaningful steps towards self-care?

The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt significantly across the Arts sector and the artists and team at Burrinja are no exception.

As COVID-19 restrictions ease across Australia, many of us are beginning a return to work in the arts industry. We also recognise that much of our creative community remain without their usual prospects, and others are working overtime to try and reopen those opportunities.

Whether we’re working, creating, exhibiting or presenting we’re likely doing so after a prolonged period away and doing so in new and different ways. As we navigate this return to our creative practice and work roles within a new context, it’s normal to feel a range of emotions. This will be a process of change that will be experienced differently by each of us.

Whilst there may be a sense of excitement to return to these spaces, there may also be new challenges that bring on hesitation, stress and anxiety. The good news is that there’s lots we can do to look after our mental health and wellbeing, to support the people around us, and to help get our creative community thriving.

Arts Wellbeing Collective

The Arts Wellbeing Collective, an initiative of Arts Centre Melbourne initiative, is a collective of arts and cultural organisations committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of people who work in the arts. We focus on promotion and prevention – working collectively to identify, explore and understand systems, cultures and ways of working in the arts that may have a negative impact on mental health, and then create a range of initiatives to address these challenges.

Keys to success:

One of the keys to success is an integrated and systemic approach to the promotion of mental health. We offer organisations a suite of resources and programs to assist individuals and teams to develop strategies for promoting and maintaining their mental health.

The aerie professional development program will provide monthly workshops for artists. These workshops will aim to develop artists’ strategic skills in arts business, marketing and more.

There are limited places in each workshop.