Creativity is a life force. Whether it is expressed through the visual arts, music, drama, or writing, or appreciated as a viewer, reader or audience, the arts are a vital component of human life. The arts are how we tell our stories, express feelings, explore and evolve new ways of seeing+thinking, thinking+feeling, feeling+change. It is through the arts that many make sense of the world – our world, it’s past, present and possibilities, as well as the world around us. It is where we find common ground with others – where we find ‘our mob’, where we feel at home, safe and comfortable.

The NDIS’ recent announcement of severe cuts to how art+music therapy (as well as other services) would be supported and provided to people on this scheme was therefore shocking and appalling. It included cutting the price paid to professionals providing these services by two thirds, and changing how participants might or might not receive these services into the future.  Justification for these changes included claims of a lack of research evidence.

Fortunately, an enormous response from practitioners and participants has led to a review of this decision, and a delay to its proposed implementation. A huge sigh of relief all around. 

Although I am not an art therapist, I am an artist with a lifetime of practice and research working in the field of arts+health. During COVID, my studio business Art for Soothing+Strengthening was considered an essential service as it provided (and continues to provide) life affirming creative practice to people who have complex trauma, can be extremely unwell and who have other mental health and neurological issues. 

The arts, creative practice and access to the arts is always under threat of funding cuts. This is a  seemingly quick fix to complex issues. It is an extremely blunt instrument, whacking the wrong people – professionals+participants, causing untold anxiety and distress as well as uncertainty.

It is important that the NDIS, the Minister for the NDIS, the Commissioner for Disability, and local MPs are aware of the many, many benefits of creative practice, as well as the high level of training and expertise of those of us who provide these services.

I have started a postcard campaign to provide human stories to these decision makers.  Will you join in? It would be great to have your contribution If you are :

• an NDIS participant involved in any of the creative practices
• An NDIS provider
• A creative practitioner working in this area
• A support worker/carer/family member who has witness the benefits of participating in creativity support. 
• An artist, musician, writer,  or therapist who have undertaken research about the arts+health, arts+disability, arts+wellbeing etc
• Interested other

How?

1. Make a postcard with a short message, include an image – maybe your art work, you in the process of creative practice, working with a client or family member etc.  Your own text, a short story of why you create. You can print a pro-forma postcard from this PDF doc.

2. Photograph it and post it on instagram and your socials with the following hashtags:

#theartsmakeme  #mychoicematters #weareprofessionals  #NDIS  #NDIS  #artforsoothing+strengthening. @ANZACATA    @austmta   @Billshortenmp

Or send it directly to 

1. Bill Shorten MP 

2. The NDIA
National Disability Insurance Agency 
GPO Box 700
Canberra ACT 2601

3. Federal  Human Rights Commission 

4. Your local MP

5. Or send to me via email : anneriggs@tpg.com.au; or c/o Art for Soothing+Strengthening, 7 Sterling Avenue, Highett. 3190.

Thanks!