National Veterans Creative Arts Festival: Showcasing the Healing Power of the Arts

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy Salazar
Author(s):  
Joseph Moreno

While much of contemporary psychotherapy practice often focuses primarily on verbal exchange between therapists and clients, it is important to recognize that verbal expression is just one mode of expression, and not necessarily the deepest or most profound. Many clients in therapy may be more comfortable in expressing themselves in other ways through the modes of music, art, dance and psychodrama. The sources of the arts in healing extend back for many thousands of years and their modern expression through the creative arts therapies are now widely utilized in the mainstream of modern psychotherapy. Traditional healing practices are still widely practiced in many indigenous cultures around the world today and an appreciation of these practices can deeply enrich our understanding of the essential role of the arts in human expression. The aim of this paper is to consider the roots of the arts therapies and really all of psychotherapy, going as far back as pre-historic evidence, followed by an overview of living indigenous healing practices in such settings as Bushman culture in Namibia, Native American Indian culture, as well as in Kenya, Bali, Malaysia, Mongolia and more.


Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122110270
Author(s):  
Christine Jonas-Simpson ◽  
Gail Mitchell ◽  
Sherry Dupuis ◽  
Lesley Donovan ◽  
Pia Kontos

Aim To present findings about experiences of relational caring at an arts-based academy for persons living with dementia. Background There is a compelling call and need for connection and relationships in communities living with dementia. This study shares what is possible when a creative arts-based academy for persons living with dementia grounded in relational inquiry and caring focuses on relationships through the medium of the arts. Design A qualitative phenomenological methodology (informed by van Manen) was used to answer the research question, “What is it like to experience relational caring at an arts-based academy for persons living with dementia?” We address two research objectives: (1) to explore how relationships are experienced when a relational caring philosophy underpins practice, including arts-based engagements; and (2) to understand the meaning of relationships that bring quality to day-to-day living. Methods Twenty-five participants were recruited from the Academy and interviewed in one-to-one in-depth interviews or small groups. Participants included five persons living with dementia, eight family members, four staff, five artists, one personal support worker, and two volunteers. Participants were asked to describe their experiences of relational caring or relationships in the Academy space. Findings Three thematic patterns emerged, which address the research objectives. Relational caring is experienced when: freedom and fluid engagement inspire a connected spontaneous liveliness; embracing difference invites discovery and generous inclusivity; and mutual affection brings forth trust and genuine expression. Conclusions Findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge about both relational caring and arts-based practices that call forth a different ethic of care—one that is relational, inclusive, and intentional. Findings also shed light on what is possible when a relational caring philosophy underpins arts-based practices—everyone thrives.


2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kruger ◽  
D. Petzer

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to measure tourists' satisfaction with quality of life issues at an arts festival - the Aardklop National Arts Festival in Potchefstroom. Problem investigated: Understanding satisfaction with quality of life issues could assist Festival organizers and other businesses to improve services for tourists by tailoring these to meet their needs. Satisfied tourists spread positive word-of-mouth communication and are more likely to return in the future. Methodology: A self-administered survey developed and validated by Neal, Sirgy and Uysal (1999:156 & 2004:245) was fielded at the 2007 Aardklop National Arts Festival in Potchefstroom. The target population included all visitors to the Festival who were staying for two or more days, and who had travelled to Potchefstroom from elsewhere. Findings and implications: Respondents were satisfied with travel / tourism services and experiences at the Festival, and with their leisure time and life in general. However, certain things at the Festival led to lowered levels of satisfaction. Demographically, respondents did not differ significantly in their levels of satisfaction with travel / tourism services, travel / tourism experiences, leisure life, and life in general at the Festival except in terms of population group and region from which they came. Organizers of the Festival and other businesses should take cognizance of the fact that all parties involved in providing services to tourists attending an arts festival impact on their satisfaction levels with travel / tourism services and experiences - and ultimately also on their quality of life. Tourists attending the arts festival are not homogenous and differ substantially in terms of their demographic profile. Tourist service providers should tailor their offerings in order to satisfy the varied needs of the different types of tourist attending the Festival. Originality and value of the research: This research focused on measuring tourists' satisfaction with quality of life issues at an arts festival. Such research has never before been conducted in South Africa; the results contribute to the deeper insight of interested parties (such as the tourism industry and arts festival managers) into what they need to offer at such events.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-74
Author(s):  
Vafa Afshar ◽  
Candan Terwiel

In this our modern times, many people, although not in every geography, had to live with wars and conflicts. Peace has always been the object of purchase, even if art cannot afford to prevent the war. Violence and war have become commonplace for everyone, especially for children. Exile, immigration, refugee, human trafficking issues, which have become a problem of the world as a result of war and violence, await solutions. Institutions, states and global organisations are trying to take big economic and social measures towards these problems; however the unresolved problems of the endless wars, the issues of war continue to be the main item of the agenda. For instance, the arts of Otto Dix, Kathe Kollwitz or our current days artists Tammam Azzam and Banksy. This study emphasises the belief that the art has a unifying, healing power, and therefore Art for Peace will continue to be made. Keywords: Contemporary art, peace, war, art.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison O’Connor

Purpose A significant number of military veterans and family members are living with post-traumatic stress, unmet mental health needs and isolation. There is growing interest in the potential of theatre and the expressive arts as a positive intervention with this population. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Coming Home programme which aims to create opportunities for military veterans and families to develop an ongoing engagement with the arts and through that engagement to access new ways of regulating and expressing complex emotions. Design/methodology/approach This case study shares reflections from Re-Live’s current theatre programme, Coming Home. The programme methodology uses reflective writing, theatre and choral singing to develop participants wellbeing and reduce isolation. Findings Initial feedback suggests that this programme has significant potential as a way of reconnecting veterans and families with their community and improving their wellbeing. The emotional release of group singing and performing together has been powerful. Participants report that the Coming Home programme is connecting them with parts of themselves they thought had gone forever: humour, spontaneity, fun – and having a positive impact on their wellbeing. Originality/value This case study contributes to the literature from the exciting and emerging field of the use of the creative arts with military veterans and families.


2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Saayman ◽  
A. Saayman ◽  
E. Slabbert

The Grahamstown National Arts Festival is the oldest National Arts Festival in South Africa and was founded in 1974. This celebration of the arts takes place over a period of eleven days with the main festival running over eight days, which also makes it the longest (in terms of number of days) arts festival in the country. The literature review revealed that high spenders at arts festivals are also the visitors who buy the most show tickets. The success of these events is determined by ticket sales and not necessarily by the number of visitors. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to determine who the high spenders at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival are. Data obtained during the festival in 2008 by means of a questionnaire survey (N=446) was statistically analysed by means of K-means clustering, Pearson‟s chi-square test and ANOVAs. Results indicated two clusters, namely high and low spenders and can assist festival organisers in developing a more focused marketing strategy and festival programme. This was the first time that K-means clustering was applied to festival data in South Africa.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 272-283
Author(s):  
Rachel Delta Higdon ◽  
Kate Chapman

This article focuses specifically on drama and theatre higher education (HE) programmes and preparation for potential graduate work. The article investigates working in the creative industries and in the performing arts (particularly within acting) and how HE students in the United Kingdom prepare for this life. The growth of the creative industries and successful applied drama in the public and private sectors has also brought business interest in how drama and theatre processes can benefit other workplaces, outside of the creative arts. The article addresses current policy, initiatives and partnerships to broaden inclusion and access to creative work. The research explores drama undergraduate degrees and the university’s role in supporting a successful transition from HE to graduate work. Students perceive the university world as safe and the graduate world as precarious and unsafe. The research findings have resonance with other undergraduate degrees, outside of the arts and the role the university plays in student transitions from the university to the graduate environment.


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