Open House is a talking group for arts workers to sit down, share space and have a chat about what’s going on in our lives. Whether you need to bounce off some ideas, looking for advice or you need to talk about personal issues (eg. mental health, home/professional life) this is a space where artists can feel free to engage as much or as little as they like.
These online check-in sessions are for ANY and ALL people who work in the arts to come together, talk about how we’re coping and share ways we can help each other through the added pressure of lockdowns and COVID-19.
These sessions aim to create an environment that promotes honesty and authenticity amongst fellow artists and arts based workers. We believe that having a space with others to talk about our experiences, emotions, beliefs and ideas can help us stay positive even in the worst of times.
These sessions currently take place on Zoom. There is no pressure to have your camera or microphone on, and you can interact as much or as little as you like.
HOW does an OpenHouse session work?
Each session is broken into 3 key sections:
(1) Check-In
This section establishes how the guidelines for the session and let’s us meet the group. We ask everyone to introduce themselves, their pronouns and tell us a bit about how their day/week/month has gone. At the end of your check-in you say “I’m In!”.
(2) Main Chat
This chat is guided by our facilitators, but can be on anything that the group wants to talk about. It might be a reaction to what someone mentioned in their check-in, it might be something you have seen recently that has inspired you or something not arts or career related. The key with these discussions is to create a safe and open space for what ever the participants in that group on that day need.
(3) Check-Out
This section sums up the discussion had on this day, shares links to mental health resources available in the UK and asks everyone to share how they are feeling and say “I’m Out!”.
WHO can attend?
These drop-ins are for anyone that fits the following:
- Works in the arts and creative sector at any level or experience
- Over 18 years of age
That’s it.
HOW do I join a session?
We don’t currently have any sessions planned. To be informed when our next session is announced email us at info@growthhouse.co.uk
ACCESS?
This session takes place on Zoom. Due to budget constraints we are currently not in a position to provide BSL interpretation or captioning for these events. We know that this will make them inaccessible for many. We are working to remedy this and if you could offer any support in this area we would love to hear from you.
DOES it cost anything?
No. This is a free online event we offer because we think the industry needs safe spaces for artists and creatives to share.
However, if you want to show your support for The Growth House and mental health initiatives like this, you can do so for as little as £4 by clicking the button below and Buying us a Coffee.
