Rural Art Roadshow: a travelling art exhibition to promote mental health in rural and remote communities

Abstract

The Rural Art Roadshow was designed to build community resilience, reduce stigma and promote a positive image of mental health in rural Tasmania, Australia by show-casing a travelling exhibition of art submitted by Tasmanian community members affected by mental illness. The project combined the benefits of art as therapy, and the art show as a community event to increase social inclusion, and facilitate positive conversations about mental health.

Keywords:

• Art
• mental health
• community engagement
• stigma reduction

Acknowledgements

Our thanks to the gallery owners and operators and the Rural Art Roadshow supporters in each of the four towns, to the MI Fellowship for their partnership in the project and to Christabel Alliston and Robert Boldkald for all their work in facilitating the exhibitions.