Art & (psychiatric) health care
In June 2023, Flanders Arts Institute organised a meeting between art professionals from Flanders, France and the Netherlands working at the intersection of art and (mental) health. Read Julie Rodeyns’ report below.
A series of profound conversations revealed the fragility of art practices within the health care system, whose existence and continuity depend heavily on the two systems of ART and (psychiatric) HEALTH CARE. These same systems, however, often deeply misunderstand and fail to fully recognize the practices and activities involved. As a result, such practices are commonly connected to smaller, more peripheral organizations and have access to very limited resources. Opportunities for exchange are rare. Indeed, even some of the Belgian partners around this table were not well acquainted with each other – which made this meeting all the more special.
In the discussions, ideas were exchanged on how to address the many challenges related to establishing mental and physical space, time and resources for art with and/or in the context of psychiatric care, which could allow these practices to exist and thrive, and how to best support the artists who work in this domain. A strong sense of urgency was clearly evident, with most participants expressing a firm belief in the potential of their expertise and the cultivation of their practices to achieve greater inclusivity and to reshape the fabric of both the art world and society at large, always with inclusivity in mind.
This text by Julie Rodeyns is a reflection of that two-day meeting, providing an exploration into the heart of the practice, a map of the various challenges inherent in artistic work with and/or in psychiatric care, and an overview of different strategies and options proposed to negotiate these challenges to help ensure the viability of their practices.
Download the full text (in English) here or through the button below.
