IKLECTIK <> SUPERNORMAL

Sunday 4th August 2024 | Vortex space | 11am

We are delighted to finally present to our audiences and community the talk, "Mental Health and Wellbeing of Artists”.

Facilitated by our dear friend Dan Hayhurst, who is part of the team coordinating BAPAM’s health services for the performing arts as well a musician in the AV duo Sculpture, we will explore the diverse experiences of artists and creative communities in this age, as well as the struggles faced in the post-pandemic, social-media-led era.

Participants: Kate Mahony (Shake Chain), Martin Steuck, Gary Stewart (Dubmorphology), Trancey Parker (Heart N Soul) & Richard Phoenix (Heart N Soul).

In the post-pandemic era, many of us face increased workloads and competition. The isolation during lockdowns and the subsequent emphasis on social networking has affected many creatives, prompting them to question their place and wellbeing within larger creative communities.

Beyond the immediate personal impacts of covid, global economic shifts have directly influenced living costs. The ripple effects on funding bodies continue to be felt across the cultural network, affecting venues, promoters, and artists. The gig economy is becoming increasingly challenging, making it difficult to maintain a healthy balance among all parties involved.

For musicians especially, examining the experience of being an artist in this age—from maintaining a life where they can create freely to finding platforms to share their work—has led us to a critical point. We're reassessing our understanding of concepts like 'belonging' and 'cultural value', while prioritising overall wellbeing.

Recognising the link between healthy communities and healthy individuals, it's essential to relearn how to support each other, help artists maintain their well-being, sense of belonging, security, and most importantly, their means to create.

This talk will give voice to a number of artists, providing an opportunity for the audience, cultural sector workers, and fellow artists to reflect and share experiences. By fostering this dialogue, we aim to strengthen the foundation for collective growth in our evolving creative landscape.

Dan Hayhurst has been part of the BAPAM team since 2004, where his focus is on knowledge sharing, resource development and building networks to improve health and wellbeing in the arts. He is passionate about sustainable independent communities and collaborative approaches to healthy creative practice.  Dan has been performing and recording music since the mid-1990s, in various bands, solo and as the audible 50% of audiovisual duo, Sculpture. He has collaborated on music and sound with film makers including Alice Doušová (Kinloss) and Peter Strickland (Flux Gourmet).

This talk is organised in collaboration with BAPAM. 

BAPAM (the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine) provides specialist support for mental and physical health problems, working with healthcare experts who understand the unique challenges in this community. Many of the BAPAM team have a background in performance themselves. Over the past four years, the number of people seeking BAPAM’s help with mental health concerns has more than doubled. In partnership with organisations including Help Musicians, Equity, The Musicians’ Union, PPL, PRS Members’ Fund and Dance Professionals Fund, BAPAM provide essential services, including free clinical advice, counselling and psychotherapy, plus free healthy practice training and peer support to share knowledge to improve health and enjoy sustainable creative careers.
www.bapam.org.uk