‘You don't take things too seriously or un‐seriously’: Beyond recovery to liminal and liminoid possibility in a community arts and mental health project

Abstract

Recent years have seen a renewed interest in integrating creative activities into statutory mental health practice in high-income countries. In this article, we offer an exploratory analysis of an arts project delivered within UK mental health services, Creativity for Enablement and Wellbeing (CREW). Drawing on data collected for a process evaluation of the project, we suggest that conceptualising CREW as liminal and liminoid provides a helpful way to articulate the processes, atmospheres, relationships, and practices of the project. Through this theoretical lens, we identify CREW as a mode of engagement comprising looseness, possibility and collectivity, all brought together through a unique community event, the showcase. We explore CREW's mode of engagement through three themes: 'carving out a liminal space', 'looseness and experimentation,' and 'from liminal to liminoid'. Implications for service delivery are discussed, focussing on how CREW managed to create a transformative space of liminoid possibility rather than a recovery journey delineated by service-defined imperatives.

Decolonising and Critical Approaches to Community Arts: Centering Relationality, Communality, And Power

“…The process of homemaking, according to Kuttner, begins with symbolic embodiment in physical space and is then sustained through caring, respectful, and loving relationships. Laver et al (2021) also note the resonances between project Creativity for Enablement and Wellbeing, and Watkins and Shulman's (2008) public homeplaces as spaces that connect individual and social experience in mutually transforming ways. Other papers also describe community arts spaces that bring together people from diverse backgrounds, supporting the sharing of ideas and perspectives and the formation of community across difference (Beauregard et al, 2020;Epstein et al, 2021;Laver et al, 2021;Soulsby et al, 2021;Sonn et al, 2015).…”

“…Laver et al (2021) also note the resonances between project Creativity for Enablement and Wellbeing, and Watkins and Shulman's (2008) public homeplaces as spaces that connect individual and social experience in mutually transforming ways. Other papers also describe community arts spaces that bring together people from diverse backgrounds, supporting the sharing of ideas and perspectives and the formation of community across difference (Beauregard et al, 2020;Epstein et al, 2021;Laver et al, 2021;Soulsby et al, 2021;Sonn et al, 2015). Across some of these examples, there were broader commonalities which bound them together, such as geographic location, allowing for greater heterogeneity.…”

“…For those engaged in community arts spaces, these opportunities to connect with others and build communities leads to profound experiences. Laver et al (2021) describes this as "communitas" (Turner, 2012), shared experiences, that as a common experience creates a sense of equality and connection within a group. For the participants described by Laver et al, these are shared experiences of creativity and a common humanity.…”

“…They recognised that community arts facilitators played an integral role in nurturing relational spaces for collaboration within community arts spaces, and creating bonds, connections, and establishing trust. Similarly, forLaver et al (2021) the facilitators of the CREW initiative specifically aimed to create a responsive space that engenders relationality and support. The initiative created a "communitarian relationality" that is underscored by a shared sense of common humanity that erases hierarchical roles and statuses.…”

Use of mobile digital footprint to understand how COVID-19 impacts the visitors to art places in Singapore

“…In [7], it found that art-based mindfulness has improved the students' moods and improve their general well-being. In [10], it discussed that there is increasing interest in integrating creative activities into statutory mental health practice, especially in high-income countries. In the same study, the art project is found to engage individuals and improve general mental well-being.…”