Reimagining Human and Planetary Flourishing

Guernica (1937) Picasso

Guernica is a visceral reaction to the Nazi's appalling bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, the painting was made by Picasso in its aftermath. Is it the most famous work associated with such brutality? My knowledge is limited and I think immediately of Otto Dix and Francisco Goya and all the horrors they depicted, or witnessed up close. Artist, Paula Rego has consistently produced difficult and beautiful work, more often than not, exploring trauma. War (2003) was motivated by a photograph from the war in Iraq and the aftermath of a bomb blast in Basra and the image Rego saw, of a small girl in a pretty dress.

War (2003), Paula Rego. Photo: © Tate, London; © Paula Rego

I have terrible feelings of impotence and fear when I see minute by minute updates of the unfolding horrors in Ukraine. Though there are ways we can actively help HERE. I send solidarity to unknown others and love to those people I know who are physically and existentially closer to Ukraine.

A pandemic, a war, climate catastrophe and all the while morally bankrupt men preside over the unequal masses, and through it all, there'll be politicians and profiteers on the make.

How on earth will this century be remembered?

. . .

The Creative Power of the Arts: Reimagining Human and Planetary Flourishing
This report looks at creative reforms in the target areas of climate, health, education, and justice. By sharing the thinking of this global, diverse, and engaged group of Fellows in this report, Salzburg Global Seminar invites others to engage in a similar process of constructive inquiry to reflect deeply on what is dividing us, what is keeping us from collaborating better, and how we can achieve transformative change together. Want to find out more and read the report? Click HERE or on the above image.

An Introduction to Social Prescribing on the 24th March
Please note that this event is targeted to people in Greater Manchester specifically. Have you heard the term ‘social prescribing’ but are unsure of how it applies to your role? Health and care workers can learn more about how it works and how you can link people up with activities in their local area, in our upcoming free webinar with Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership. Join either of the two live sessions on 24th March (1pm or 7pm) to learn about the two main delivery models for social prescribing in England, as well as how it can be accessed by communities, potential outcomes for people, and where your own professional practice fits into it. Sign up to hear from expert speakers Charlotte Leonhardsen and Julie McCarthy from @gmhsc-partnership and Dr Jaweeda Idoo by clicking HERE.      

From Surviving to Thriving: Building a model for sustainable practice in creativity and mental health
Here is the latest report from the Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance, From Surviving to Thriving: Building a model for sustainable practice in creativity and mental health. It has been authored by Victoria Hume and Minoti Parikh, and developed with around 150 creative practitioners and organisations working in the field, many of whose practice is based on their own lived experience.

The report is the result of a six-month project funded by the Baring Foundation, to understand how we might help more people and organisations using creativity to support mental health to survive and thrive. At the heart of the report are a series of recommendations for five groups: practitioners, commissioning organisations (whether arts, health or care), funders, researchers and infrastructure organisations like the Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance itself. Read the recommendations and the full report HERE or by clicking on the above image.

MA Arts Practice (Arts, Health and Wellbeing) at the University of South Wales
Places are available for the well-established MA Arts Practice (Arts, Health and Wellbeing) course in the heart of Cardiff. The duration of the MA is 18 months. Teaching begins in September each year and is delivered on campus, one weekend per month. Tutorials are scheduled at intervals between teaching weekends and are held online. The course reflects the breadth of practice within the field of arts, health and wellbeing in providing scope for multifarious forms of creativity, from participation and socially engaged practice, to site specific art works aimed at enhancing healthcare settings. The programme is designed to equip students with the tools and principles they need to succeed within this valued and expanding are of professional arts practice. Contact Carol Hiles for more information carol.hiles@southwales.ac.uk and take a look at our website which includes examples of recent projects completed by our students. Click HERE or on the image above.