Socially-engaged Artist

What is this, how do I work, benefits, collaboration, I apply what;s needed. Examples, images, place or community of interest based

It’s hard to find the best words to describe what me, and many artists like me, do as these clumsy names change over time: socially-engaged artist, Participatory Artist, Community Artist, Applied Storyteller are all terms that mean I work with groups of people using stories and creativity as a way of enabling those people in workshops and on projects.

The purpose varies from learning or developing creative skills, for relaxation, time out & wellbeing, relationship building, for groups or individuals to tell their story, to celebrate the heritage, environment or qualities of a particular place.

I bring my skills and rich experiences as a facilitator to design and deliver workshops that meet the bespoke requests of an organisation. My workshops are accessible, inclusive, people friendly, confidence building, safe and compassionate spaces and I like fun. I work with people of all ages from 4 to 104 regardless of anything and everything!

I often partner with artists from other art forms and find combined arts collaborations to be really effective and rewarding for the people we’re working with as myself. From 2007-15?? I was founder and director of Blazing Tales a combined arts company, we did some great projects: Memorabilia and River Exe-Pedition. Successful collaborations can also be cross sector with scientists, lawyers or ecologists for example.

I have led arts workshops in applied and community settings since the age of 21, and in that time I have worked with all kinds of people in all kinds of places. Here’s a few examples:

Schools and Education

University

Heritage – museums

Environment – NLandscapeP, NTrust, NParks

Special Educational Needs

Adults in Recovery from D&A

Young people experiencing mental health issues

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Care Homes

Activity Coordinator

As a communication skills coach I have worked with a wide range of professionals from admin staff, to palliative care nurses, doctors, head teachers, managers and leaders.

Find out more about that ….link…to Comm skills page

I can pitch my workshops to suit individuals and their context. This is not a one size fits all type of work and I love it! what about it.

Consultation