''As a sector, the arts is on the verge of burnout if not already teetering far beyond its edge. Lack of support, the precarious nature of freelance and contract work, the emotional and physical toll of creative and community arts work, frequent requests to work for free, and the undervaluing of work in Australia is confounding. Yet there is a silver lining in that these issues are finally being broached.
At the Making Time: Arts and Self-Care conference held by Footscray Community Arts Centre (FCAC) last week, the discussion was stripped bare of the appearances we are often greeted with at exhibition openings, or daily dealings with colleagues and friends. Delegates shared candid accounts of dealings with trauma, mental health difficulties and illuminated the dark corners of community arts work.
Community arts workers in particular are often exposed to difficult or traumatic situations through working with those that have experienced hardship. As empathic individuals, it can be difficult to distance yourself or avoid taking on external stress. Often when we do take a step back, we begin to feel we are not doing enough, or spiral into feelings of anxiety or worthlessness...''
Comentários