Blog

The BBC's excellent documentary 'Reclaiming Amy' is not only a moving tribute, but a timely reminder of the importance of participatory arts for people living with addiction, and the need to support artists' mental health.

We are awarding 24 new grants - out of a very strong field - this week to support participatory artists from ethnically diverse backgrounds in arts & mental health. The Chair of our Arts Committee explains the decision-making.

Alex Evans, Artistic Director at Kazzum Arts in East London, explains the impact taking a trauma-informed approach has had on their arts work with children & young people, staff and artists, and throughout the organisation.

The benefits of the arts for mental health are increasingly recognised, but they need to be much better funded.

Lockdown has underlined the huge value of creativity particularly for those living in care homes. What would it require for all care homes to offer their residents access to relevant creative and cultural opportunities on a daily basis?

How artists, activists and creative organisations like Words of Colour are challenging racism in the arts sector and developing alternative structures that nurture the creative wellbeing and careers of artists of colour.

Sandra Griffiths, founder of The Red Earth Collective, shares her journey in arts and mental health and the work of Red Earth which uses the arts to start conversations about mental health with racialised and marginalised communities.

Many arts and mental health organisations combine the healing powers of creativity and nature. David Cutler rounds up a few here - from the quiet places in Manchester to some of the UK's most beautiful countryside.

Featured in our new report, this article by artist Dolly Sen is a powerful testimony to the toll of racism on mental health and a call to action to the arts world to address racism and lack of representation.

Theatre for Life was one of 87 organisations awarded a grant in our first Arts & Mental Health grants round last year.