Theory of Creativity

Cultivating Wellbeing in the Arts with Tracy Margieson

• Tandi Palmer Williams, Patternmakers • Season 2 • Episode 5

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The performing arts sector faces systemic and structural challenges that have been present long before Covid-19. These include low financial security, low job security, working contract to contract, a highly casualised workforce, freelancers that aren’t protected, and no access to paid leave or sick leave. The pandemic has shined a light on the prevalence of each one of these and has enlightened the general public to the complex problems workers in the performing arts have been facing consistently. 

To talk about cultivating and fostering mental wellbeing in the arts sector, I am chatting with Tracy Margieson. Tracy is from the Arts Wellbeing Collective at the Art Centre Melbourne. The Arts Wellbeing Collective is a mental health and wellbeing program specifically tailored for the performing arts industry. It has grown rapidly, since its pilot in 2017, to become a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive sector-wide initiative.  

Tracy discusses the founding of The Arts Wellbeing Collective and the gap it filled in the industry helping and supporting people working in the arts. She goes on to talk about how the pandemic has impacted the performing arts sector and the mental health determinants that influence people in the arts far more than people working in the general public. 

Using this evidence-based research and knowledge, The Arts Wellbeing Collective works with hundreds of organisations to improve the wellbeing of their employees. Together they identify the challenges and design preventative initiatives to promote positive mental health. 

This will look different for every company and depends on how they visualise their ideal healthy workplace. Tracy and her team encourage leaders to examine the cause instead of just treating the symptoms to effect true change. 

This episode is full of useful information that we can utilize as artists to protect and preserve our mental health. You’ll feel energised and inspired to improve the wellbeing of not only yourself, but the people around you. 

If this interview raises any issues for you, or if you or anyone you know is struggling with mental ill-health or needs support, call or visit the online resources below:

Resources mentioned: