ARTiculate: arts therapy for young people
ARTiculate is an arts therapy programme specifically for young people. It aims to cater for all the different kinds of issues and behaviours that young people experience.
The programme provides advocacy in areas of problem solving, self-esteem building, connection to feelings, role-modelling, decision-making and responsibility, strengths and a sense of community.
The strategy behind ARTiculate is to expose youth to an artistic process that can serve both as an outlet for feelings (positive and negative) and as a means for self-expression. The environment is free of criticism, allowing participants to use the materials and resources to develop their artistic expression and insights. Through the creative process, participants can discover their own knowledge and self-understanding (Allen,1995; Malchiodi,1998).
Young people face a range of challenges on their journey towards becoming well-adjusted human beings, who are confident and able to contribute constructively in society and ARTiculate is versatile enough to cater for many types of social factors, personalities and cultures. It focuses on each individual’s needs whether they are behavioural, emotional, psychological or physical.
ARTiculate can also be taken into the community as outreach programmes in a variety of settings and works to support and empower people in a wide variety of circumstances.
SESSIONS
The year-round programme takes place in 8-10 week blocks and dates are based around school term dates. Sessions are two hours in length. The programme involves participants working alongside arts therapists in a studio art therapy environment that is flexible enough to nurture individuals within their respective circumstances, and their preferred art modalities.
ARTiculate is available anyone who feels their child/client would benefit from being a part of an arts therapy programme; parents/caregivers, school counsellors and teachers, alternative education programmes, youth agencies and organisations, GP’s and any other professional working with young people.
EXHIBITIONS
Programmes culminate in an exhibition for family and whanau, friends and the local community as agreed to by the participants. This exhibition provides confidence through appreciation from families and community and educates the general public by displaying the youth’s experiences in their own voices in a very powerful way. Participants receive positive attention for being an ‘artist’. The programme celebrates artistic accomplishments and is therefore an opportunity for growth and change for the participants.
These exhibitions can empower the community to see these youth as an asset and to feel connected to Arts Therapy (NZ) Trust, the youth and the arts in general. All of which is in accord with our aims of: community, creativity, connection: through the arts.
If you are interested in this programme or the evaluation, please contact us on 09 623 6208.
2011 Exhibition Flyers
