STREAM 1 - 2013
The Project
The ‘Future World’ AIR project was developed by the School of Special Education Needs: Medical and Mental Health (formerly known at the time of the AiR project as Hospital School Services) for patients at Princess Margaret Hospital, Bentley Adolescent Unit and the Family Pathways program in Shenton Park. As a unique partnership between the Department of Education and the Department of Health, this was the first AIR project of its kind in Western Australia.
The position of artist-in-residence was advertised and community artist Charlotte O’Shea was selected to facilitate visual arts activities for an estimated 280 student patients aged five to 18 years.
‘Future World’ had a sustainability focus and invited students to create visual artworks that expressed their personal visions of distant galaxies, new planets and strange oceans. Charlotte visited each location to work with students on individual or collaborative artworks and encouraged them to explore the process of developing an image or object that would often lead to something quite unexpected. This approach allowed for students who might be uncomfortable with self-expression to explore their creativity in a non-confronting way. An online gallery was also launched to showcase student work.
“A fantastic, hands-on approach with a unique opportunity for patients to be engaged with a practising artist (and achieve amazing results).” Teacher
“Children in hospital have lost the freedom to run and jump and muck around. An artist provides that opportunity to really explore their imagination – engages and connects them with others. We have seen the benefits are really far-reaching, not just for the child but for the parents as well.” Rebecca deRooy, Project Coordinator
During the project Charlotte was provided with a light-filled art studio next to the Starlight Livewire room at Princess Margaret Hospital. She regularly spent time in the studio working on a number of her own sculptures and experimenting with different techniques and new materials. Charlotte donated one of her artworks to the hospital in appreciation of her residency.
On Friday 25 October, 2013 the Future World Exhibition opened in the Megazone Art Space at Princess Margaret Hospital. Student artworks, and those created by Charlotte during her residency, were displayed for 75 days. An estimated 3,850 people viewed the exhibition. In addition, several sculptures were selected for the Young Originals exhibition presented by the Western Australian Secondary School Executives Association in partnership with Edith Cowan University at the Spectrum Project Space.
As an adjunct to the AIR project Christina Davies from the School of Population Health at The University of Western Australia conducted an independent health and wellbeing evaluation. The study utilised a short survey that collated demographic, affect, enjoyment and learning data. Survey results from 78 students, 34 parents and 18 staff were collated and analysed. The evaluation ultimately confirmed the positive health benefits of arts activities for young people in the clinical environment.
“Students consistently enjoyed the activities (99%) and said the [AIR] program made them feel happy (84%), more relaxed (75%) and less bored (88%). Staff and parents agreed that the program was an opportunity for children to be creative (100%), learn art skills (80%) and express ideas (94%).”
From the report The Impact of Creative Health and Education Partnerships – Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Grants Program (2013) / Report Fact Sheet.
“My daughter has found art helps to escape the darkness she feels and lessens the noisy constant cycle of predominantly negative thoughts. Her expression through art is deeply personal, beautiful and the growth of her creative expression [through this AIR project] has been significant in less than a term. Charlotte’s experience as an artist has been refreshing, inspiring and delightful – just like her.” Parent
This AIR project was also supported by many charitable and community organisations, including Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, Little Athletics WA, Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Princess Margaret Hospital Volunteers Association.
As a direct result of their participation, the Princess Margaret Foundation approved funds for ongoing artist residencies and for the appointment of a dedicated project coordinator to plan and deliver arts initiatives at the hospital. Management at the Bentley Adolescent Unit also recognised the beneficial health impacts of the Future World AIR project and financed a series of artist residencies in 2014.
Visit the project archive to read more about projects completed in 2013. View the teaching and learning resource and AiR advocacy video here. This video is also available through the Department of Education's YouTube channel.
Associate Principal: Mr Caleb Jones
School Tel: (08) 9340 8529
School profile available at http://ssenmmh.wa.edu.au/
Project online gallery
AIR Project Coordinator: Rebecca deRooy (Art Curator, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Western Australia)
Artist: Charlotte O'Shea
Tel: 0429 630 016
Email: caosbw@bigpond.net.au
Web: http://charlotteoshea-artist.blogspot.com.au/
Read about Charlotte O'Shea's 2015 AiR project at Beverley District High School.
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