International Creative Workshops Engaging in creative education programs and innovative learning opportunities can yield tremendous benefits, particularly for individuals grappling with mental health challenges. As a professional copywriting journalist, I’m excited to share the findings of a longitudinal qualitative study that explores the remarkable impact of participating in a series of experiential education and arts integration workshops in Brisbane, Australia.
This one-year follow-up of eight mental health consumers who took part in the workshops revealed the powerful and lasting effects of immersing oneself in project-based learning, maker spaces, and design thinking approaches. The workshops not only aimed to enhance participants’ capacity and skills in sharing their personal stories of recovery but also sought to uncover the key factors that contributed to the workshops’ success.
Through semi-structured interviews, the researchers gained valuable insights into the participants’ experiences, memories, and the ways in which they had continued to share their stories with others over the preceding 12 months. Interpretative phenomenological analysis uncovered several remarkable findings: participants thoroughly enjoyed engaging in a diverse range of creative mediums within a supportive group setting, the peer mentor support was highly valued, and participants’ recovery narratives had become increasingly positive, shared more openly and frequently with their communities.
Ultimately, the participation in these International Creative Workshops had profound and long-lasting benefits for the individuals involved, fostering improved confidence and a deeper understanding of their own mental health journeys. As we delve further into the study’s findings, it becomes clear that the inclusion of peer mentors with lived experience could be a valuable strategy for future International Creative Workshops, empowering participants to re-author their recovery stories in a meaningful and impactful way.
Key Takeaways International Creative Workshops
- Participation in creative education programs and innovative learning opportunities can yield significant benefits for individuals with mental health challenges.
- The longitudinal study in Brisbane, Australia revealed that International Creative Workshops fostered improved confidence, understanding, and the ability to share personal recovery stories.
- Peer mentor support was highly valued by participants, highlighting the potential for including mentors with lived experience in future workshops.
- Engaging in a diverse range of creative mediums within a supportive group setting was a key factor in the workshops’ success.
- The International Creative Workshops had long-lasting positive impacts on participants’ mental health and well-being.
Introduction to Creative Education Programs
In the realm of mental health services, there is an increasing emphasis on the transformative power of non-traditional interventions, including the integration of art as a means of support for service users [1, 2]. While historically, art has been utilized in mental health assessments as a diagnostic or projective tool [3], more recently, a diverse array of artistic mediums, such as dance, music, poetry, painting, photography, and digital media, have been incorporated into creative workshop formats to promote recovery for individuals experiencing mental health challenges [2, 4–6].
Providing individuals with the opportunity to “re-author” their story through the use of creative processes is an essential step in the recovery process, enabling them to shift their focus from the primary concerns of their illness to the exploration of positive aspirations for their future [6]. These creative education programs are delivered in both community and mental health service settings, facilitated by a range of professionals, including health professionals, artists, and peer mentors [7, 8].
Definition and Scope of Creative Education Programs
The specific skills and focus of the workshop facilitators can significantly influence the experiences of participants. The active engagement of health professionals in workshops with service users can help to equalize power relations, fostering a more collaborative environment [9]. Conversely, workshops facilitated by artists can be particularly beneficial in assisting participants in developing identities that extend beyond their mental illness [10, 11]. The inclusion of peer mentors, individuals with lived experience of mental illness, is also crucial, as they can provide participants with valuable role models who have navigated the recovery process [12] and encourage artistic development within a supportive, mutually understanding environment [8].
Importance of Experiential and Innovative Learning
The incorporation of experiential education and innovative learning approaches within creative education programs is paramount. These programs enable individuals to actively engage with a diverse range of artistic mediums, empowering them to explore and express their experiences in meaningful and transformative ways [2, 4–6]. The integration of project-based learning, maker spaces, and design thinking methodologies further enhances the interdisciplinary curriculum and student-centered pedagogy of these programs, fostering a constructivist approach to experiential learning and the development of innovative curricula and interdisciplinary studies [2, 4–6, 7, 8].
Fostering Creativity and Self-Expression
Participation in creative education programs has been associated with individuals feeling a profound sense of pride and accomplishment in their artistic achievements, which can then translate into other areas of their lives [2]. For those who struggle with motivation, International Creative Workshops can provide a meaningful reason to get up in the morning [13], and in doing so, their confidence and self-esteem can blossom [14].
Exploring Various Artistic Mediums
International Creative Workshops may also provide a welcome distraction from personal issues and life stressors [15], offering participants alternative ways to explore and understand the experience of mental illness [16]. Through engaging in a range of creative mediums, such as visual art, music, dance, and creative writing, individuals can discover new avenues for self-expression and cultivate a deeper understanding of their mental health journey.
Building Confidence and Accomplishment
Group workshops can further provide opportunities to develop social connections and a greater sense of meaning in life [17, 18]. These creative environments can foster a sense of belonging, with relationships based on mutual interests in art rather than mental illness [2, 9]. By participating in collaborative projects and showcasing their artistic creations, individuals can experience a profound boost in their confidence and self-esteem, empowering them to share their stories of recovery more openly and often.
Mental Health Benefits of International Creative Workshops
International Creative Workshops often provide participants with a much-needed respite from the stresses and challenges of everyday life. These enriching experiences can serve as a welcome distraction from personal issues and life stressors [15], allowing individuals to momentarily shift their focus and engage in rewarding creative pursuits. By immersing themselves in the experiential education and innovative learning opportunities offered by these workshops, participants can find relief from the burdens of mental illness and explore alternative ways to understand their condition [16].
The inclusive and supportive environment fostered by creative education programs and interdisciplinary curricula can be particularly beneficial for individuals grappling with mental health challenges. Student-centered pedagogy and constructivist approaches empower participants to take an active role in their own healing and self-expression, as they navigate the project-based learning and maker spaces that characterize these enriching workshops. The integration of arts integration and design thinking strategies further enhances the experiential learning and innovative curricula that underpin these transformative experiences.
By providing participants with the opportunity to explore their interdisciplinary studies and maker education, International Creative Workshops can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the nuanced nature of mental illness. This interdisciplinary curriculum encourages individuals to engage with their condition in a more holistic and empowering manner, ultimately facilitating their journey towards self-discovery, confidence, and personal growth.
Developing Social Connections
Group creative education programs can provide opportunities to develop social connections and a greater sense of meaning in life [17, 18]. These innovative learning environments can foster an atmosphere of belonging, with relationships based on mutual interests in experiential education and arts integration, rather than solely on mental illness [2, 9].
Participating in project-based learning and maker spaces allows individuals to connect with like-minded peers who share a passion for design thinking and interdisciplinary curriculum. This student-centered pedagogy encourages the development of supportive networks, where participants can engage in experiential learning, exchange ideas, and find inspiration from one another’s innovative curricula and interdisciplinary studies.
Beyond the immediate workshop setting, these maker education experiences can lead to ongoing collaborations and community-building. Participants may discover opportunities to continue their constructivist approaches to creative expression, further strengthening the social bonds formed during the initial creative education programs.
Challenges and Considerations
While the creative education programs discussed offer numerous benefits, it’s important to acknowledge some potential challenges participants may face. Some individuals have reported that the workshops, while generally eliciting positive memories, can also trigger negative or distressing recollections from the past [16]. This is a consideration that workshop facilitators must be mindful of, as they aim to create a safe and supportive environment for experiential learning and self-expression.
Potential for Triggering Negative Memories
The arts integration and interdisciplinary curriculum utilized in these programs can be a double-edged sword. While the International Creative Workshops provide opportunities for participants to explore and reframe their experiences with mental illness, the process may also inadvertently dredge up painful memories or unresolved trauma [16]. Workshop facilitators must be prepared to handle such situations sensitively and have appropriate resources in place to support participants if needed.
Anxiety and Motivational Barriers
Another challenge identified in the research is that individuals struggling with anxiety, low motivation, or poor self-esteem may feel discomfort or difficulty in regularly attending the creative education programs [8]. This can be a significant barrier, as consistent participation is often crucial for participants to fully benefit from the innovative learning and experiential education opportunities these workshops provide. Workshop designers should consider strategies to address these barriers, such as incorporating student-centered pedagogy and maker spaces that foster a supportive and inclusive environment.
Additionally, some participants may feel anxious or “stuck” once the workshops conclude, if they do not have access to another constructivist approach or activity to continue their creative expression and personal growth [1]. Ensuring a smooth transition and providing resources for ongoing interdisciplinary studies and maker education can help mitigate this challenge.
The Your Story Matters Workshop Experience
Previous research on International Creative Workshops has generally used a cross sectional design and included only one or two artistic mediums, typically delivered by mental health professionals and/or artists [1, 19, 20]. This paper reports a one-year follow-up of eight participants who took part in a series of International Creative Workshops, (Your Story Matters), in Brisbane, Australia in 2015.
Workshop Structure and Facilitators
Eight International Creative Workshops, each two hours in length were delivered over a three-month period. Workshops were held in a centrally located venue which had access to an outdoor space for dance and music activities. Participants explored the four artistic mediums over four separate workshops (one medium per week). These workshops were facilitated by a professional artist and supported by three peer mentors with a lived experience of mental illness. A further four workshops, attended by all the artists (one female, three male) and mentors (two females, one male), enabled participants to work one-on-one in their preferred artistic medium. Both professional artists and peer mentors had formal qualifications in human services and experience with working with people with a mental illness.
Incorporating Peer Mentors with Lived Experience
The inclusion of peer mentors (someone with lived experience of mental illness) as facilitators is also important in providing participants with role models who have experienced the recovery process [12]; and encourages artistic development within an environment of mutual support [8]. This approach aimed to foster a sense of community, connection, and understanding among the workshop participants.
Sharing Personal Recovery Stories
The workshops aimed to build the confidence and skills of participants to comfortably share their story of mental illness and recovery.
Workshops commenced and finished with group activities, such as drumming circles that focused on connecting as a group. Each workshop included sharing of information and personal reflection by the mentors and invitations for participants to consider creative ways to express their personal stories (who we are and how we are known).
Building Confidence in Self-Expression
Participants created individual art works, played musical instruments, wrote poems, engaged in dance movement and collectively made a mural and wrote and performed as song as a way to share their recovery stories. This process helped participants build their confidence in self-expression and develop a more positive narrative around their lived experiences with mental health challenges.
Developing a Positive Narrative
By engaging in a range of creative activities, participants were able to explore and share their personal stories in empowering ways. The workshops fostered an environment where individuals could reframe their recovery journey, moving away from a sole focus on their illness towards a more holistic understanding of who they are and their aspirations for the future.
Creative Education Programs: Learning and Growth
Workshops provided opportunities for participants to explore four artistic mediums (visual art, music, dance, and creative writing) with the aim of supporting them to tell their stories of recovery and share their experience of working with services. Participants enjoyed being engaged in a range of creative education programs, innovative learning, and experiential education within a group setting, where peer mentor support was highly valued. Notably, participants’ recovery stories had become more positive and were shared more often and openly with others. Overall, participation in these International Creative Workshops had long-lasting benefits for participants, including improved confidence and a better understanding of their illness.
Exposure to Different Techniques and Styles
The workshops provided participants with the opportunity to engage in arts integration, project-based learning, and explore various maker spaces and design thinking techniques. This exposure to a diverse range of artistic mediums allowed participants to discover new forms of self-expression and develop a deeper appreciation for interdisciplinary curriculum and student-centered pedagogy. The workshops fostered an environment of experiential learning, enabling participants to experiment with different innovative curricula and interdisciplinary studies.
Expanding Creative Horizons
Participants in the International Creative Workshops were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the maker education and constructivist approaches that were central to the program. This openness to new creative experiences and willingness to explore unfamiliar artistic mediums allowed participants to expand their creative horizons and develop a deeper understanding of their own artistic capabilities. The workshops empowered participants to view their recovery journey through a more positive, creative lens, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being and sense of self.
Community Building and Networking
Creative education programs and innovative learning environments foster a sense of community among participants. Connecting with like-minded individuals who share a passion for experiential education and arts integration can be motivating and inspiring. Through project-based learning and maker spaces, writers can build meaningful relationships, receive valuable support, and establish connections that may lead to future design thinking collaborations or exciting new opportunities.
Connecting with Like-Minded Individuals
The interdisciplinary curriculum and student-centered pedagogy of creative education programs create an environment where participants can thrive. Experiential learning and innovative curricula foster a sense of belonging, with relationships based on mutual interests in interdisciplinary studies and maker education, rather than solely on mental illness. This sense of community can be truly empowering, as writers draw inspiration and motivation from one another’s constructivist approaches to creative expression.
Potential for Future Collaborations
The connections forged through creative education programs can lead to exciting new interdisciplinary collaborations and opportunities. As writers build relationships and share their unique perspectives, they may discover opportunities to work together on future projects, such as co-authoring works, co-facilitating experiential education workshops, or even exploring design thinking initiatives that blend their diverse talents and experiences.
Accountability and Discipline in the Creative Process
Joining a creative education program or innovative learning workshop can help writers establish a regular writing routine and maintain accountability. These programs often have deadlines and expectations, encouraging participants to stay committed to their experiential education and arts integration practices, and complete their work. The structured format of project-based learning and maker spaces can foster a sense of design thinking and discipline, guiding writers through the creative process with an interdisciplinary curriculum and student-centered pedagogy.
The experiential learning and innovative curricula of these programs encourage participants to explore interdisciplinary studies and maker education, expanding their creative horizons through constructivist approaches. The accountability and structure provided can be particularly beneficial for writers who struggle with motivation, helping them develop a consistent writing habit and a more positive narrative about their creative journey.
Conclusion International Creative Workshops
In conclusion, the findings from this study clearly demonstrate the long-lasting benefits of participating in International Creative Workshops for individuals with mental health challenges. By engaging in a diverse range of artistic mediums, including visual art, music, dance, and creative writing, participants experienced a boost in their confidence, self-expression, and understanding of their own recovery journey.
The inclusion of peer mentors with lived experience of mental illness proved to be a crucial factor in fostering a supportive environment and providing role models for the participants. This dynamic allowed participants to not only explore their creativity, but also to reauthor their personal narratives in a positive and empowering way.
Moving forward, it is clear that future International Creative Workshops should prioritize the involvement of peer mentors to further enhance the experiences and outcomes for participants. By continuing to integrate innovative, experiential, and interdisciplinary approaches to creative education, we can unlock the transformative power of the arts in supporting mental health recovery and well-being.
FAQ
What are the benefits of participating in International Creative Workshops?
Participation in International Creative Workshops has been linked with positive outcomes for people with mental illness, including improved confidence, self-esteem, and understanding of their illness. Creative workshops can provide a sense of accomplishment, motivation, and an alternative way to explore and understand the experience of mental illness.
How do International Creative Workshops support the recovery process?
International Creative Workshops can help individuals “re-author” their recovery story by providing opportunities to express themselves through various artistic mediums. This can be an important step in the recovery process, shifting the focus from the illness to positive aspirations for the future.
What is the role of peer mentors in creative workshops?
The inclusion of peer mentors with lived experience of mental illness is important in creative workshops. Peer mentors can provide role models for the recovery process and encourage artistic development within an environment of mutual support.
How do creative workshops foster social connections?
Group-based creative workshops can provide opportunities to develop social connections and a greater sense of meaning in life. They can foster an environment of belonging, with relationships based on mutual interests in art rather than mental illness.
What are some potential challenges of creative workshops?
Some participants have reported that creative workshops can trigger negative, distressing memories. Additionally, individuals who struggle with anxiety, motivation, or low self-esteem may feel discomfort before attending workshops, making regular attendance difficult.
How were the “Your Story Matters” workshops structured?
The “Your Story Matters” workshops in Brisbane, Australia, were delivered over a three-month period and included four creative mediums (visual art, music, dance, and creative writing). The workshops were facilitated by a professional artist and supported by three peer mentors with lived experience of mental illness.
What were the key outcomes of the “Your Story Matters” workshops?
Participants reported enjoying the range of creative mediums, valued the peer mentor support, and found that their recovery stories became more positive and were shared more often and openly with others. Overall, the workshops had long-lasting benefits for participants’ confidence and understanding of their illness.