How might Art for Social Change lead the way to emotional resilience?
In my initial paper, I wrote to make a case for an algorithmic approach to emotional resilience. I reflected on best practices in global economic systems, health systems, and support systems for essential service professionals who are almost guaranteed to experience mental health illness through work experiences. Yet our well-being is not “solved in a set number of steps” (1). We are not beings to be “fixed” but understood, to the best of our ability. It is maintained, however, through cycles of growth and development. This is a theme we’re committed to and facilitate through our designed Narrative Journey.
Creating the conditions for self-directed healing is an ongoing conversation, as that is what’s required on the inside. Therefore, it must be reflected in our outside world as well. What I had initially sought and found, was a diverse range of recipes for experiences that help everyday citizens come together to discover the next, right, step in their healing journey. They develop their skills and capacity to make creative decisions, become more self-aware, and learn to trust their knowledge base. The metaphors and narrative elements remain key ingredients in the unique combination of meaningful actions, that help us to generate momentum along the path. One of these cycles has come to life through years of being a Guiding Collective member for the Art for Social Change Calgary Hub, leading workshops on ASC at Arts Commons, helping plan the Living a Creative Life annual Congress through Calgary Arts Development, and most recently joining the Arts Care/HEAR Music Alberta Advisory Committee.
Bringing people together feels familiar in many contexts, such as between work, family, and our social network. What has become a tool for connecting our ecosystems on a larger scale within Arts & Culture initiatives than your average dinner party, is Art for Social Change.
“Art is a powerful force for positively transforming lives, catalyzing social change, and contributing to the development of civil society.” - Judith Marcuse (International Centre of Art for Social Change)
It’s a process that circles engagement between groups, individuals, and communities to inform the work, creating art and generating culture from the attitudes and mindsets of today. It looks like a seat at the table where none was previously, or recording the voice of those who’d been made quiet, through systemic repression. What’s incredible is the consistently shared feelings of awe that erupt from these meaningful actions. We’ve tested and run tiny experiments, from the smallest operation to our overall vision, to validate part of the original mandate of the Foundation:
“a deeper understanding of
how we receive and process the world
via cognition and emotion
to generate a sense of well-being.”
Our presence at community events means people are starting to recognize space to ground themselves and enjoy community events that they may have felt weren’t conducive to their enjoyment before. When youth play in our pop-up living room with siblings and friends, we recognize kids regulating emotions within high-stress environments. When parents take time at a busy festival to use the big comfy chairs to feel held and rest, we observe people bringing more acceptance into the present moment. When teens and young adults choose to play or ask questions that make them nervous, we learn how they empower themselves to see their inner creativity and tenacity.
It has become less about providing all the options, and more about holding space for them to meet their needs compassionately and creatively. This is an unanticipated yet welcome realization from years of prototyping and refining, and we’re excited to plan more Art for Social Change projects for Calgary and the surrounding area in 2025.
Author: Stacey Perlin
ALGORITHM definition from dictionary.com
