everything curriculum | July 2021


understanding of possibility thinking and self–efficacy. Pride in achievement: each positive experience adding to the child’s reservoir of belief in their own abilities and potential.


Today, these findings remain at Daisi’s heart. In 2015 I attended a conference that called for everyone to support the crisis in young people’s mental health. I left with the clear message – mental health is everyone’s business.


We therefore developed ArtEffect, a collaboration examining how best to shape artistic opportunities in school that support young people experiencing mental health issues.


“Sometimes I do feel quite sad and you can’t really do anything, I had that feeling quite a bit, it does help a lot coming here. I go home feeling happy.”


ArtEffect findings suggested that participants:


• increased in confidence and resilience – in particular identifying feeling calmer and better able to cope with making mistakes


• felt the atmosphere and environment created by artists helped them to engage successfully with the project


• could identify a link between creative activities and the effect on their emotions


• felt reassured by meeting other people who felt like them, and valued being able to express themselves in a ‘safe space’


• felt better connected to each other and more supported within their setting


• expressed a willingness and interest to take part in future creative activities


“I’ve learnt that mistakes are proof that you are trying, it’s ok to get something wrong. I can have another go.”


As we work together to recover from COVID–19, schools are turning to the arts to help. In summer 2021, collective making, improving wellbeing, celebrating being back together, and having fun, are cited by primary schools as the top reasons for approaching Daisi.


About the author


Liz Hill is Director of Daisi, the arts education organisation for Devon and Torbay, working alongside more than 60 professional artists to create arts experiences with over 6,000 young people each year. Daisi works across all art forms from dance to literature, media arts to music – and with children and young people from pre–school age to their late teens, both in and out of school. Woven into all our projects are learning and development opportunities for teachers, school communities, artists and other partners, strengthening confidence and ability to work effectively with the arts and young people in their own, unique settings. Daisi advocates widely for the positive impact of arts activities on outcomes for young people across their learning and social needs, documenting and evaluating our work in order to influence good practice in our region and beyond.


17


“We have a lot of small children in desperate need of some fun and togetherness!” (Headteacher, Exeter)


So, now is absolutely the time for bringing your community back together for hands–on arts experiences, celebrating and reconnecting with each other. And absolutely it’s about fun, but in the knowledge that there is so much more going on besides.


Need a 100% digital intervention? Daisi Bytes are films designed to support children to feel connected to arts and culture through real people, artists and creative professionals in their community. Available now at daisi.org.uk/new–daisi–bytes–artist–films


Further detail on Daisi arts project outcomes can be found at daisi.org.uk/projects


Original evaluation of Groundswell was carried out by Nick Jones


Evaluation of ArtEffect was carried out by Clare Fisher of FisherHayes Creative Production, and the project was supported by Devon County Council.


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