Our method
ConnectArt’s method is unique and uses a combination of artistic and educational activities to improve the mental health of children and young people.
Artistically, we are developing a Trilogy, three works that will deal with three different perspectives on our mental health, namely our relationship to our thoughts, feelings and body.
In the schools, we present two of our artistic films to inspire the children, then we lead a group discussion where the children can express their perspectives on the performance, which directly leads to a playful workshop that lifts the children’s creativity and reflections.
Portfolio
Art and Pedagogics
Art
The artistic part inspires children and young people and increases their opportunities to influence their own mental health. Elin has a vision of three works, three themes that relate to each other. Elin got the idea after going through a period of burnout followed by intensive inner work to heal and develop. Elin wants to share the knowledge, tools and insights that the whole process has taught her so that children can prevent their mental health problems before they turn into mental illness. Culture is an effective way to reach children, which is why the Trilogy focuses on three different art forms, such as circus, dance and theatre.
The first work, the filmed circus performance Monster is about a child who struggles with her worries and low self-esteem. During the course of the performance, the child becomes more and more aware of her thoughts and feelings and becomes friends with them.
The second work, a dance film, Rise, is a moving story about a child who tries to avoid and escape from her feelings until she becomes curious and finds the courage to get in touch with them.
The trilogy – three works – three art forms – three perspectives on mental health. Our relationship to our:
Pedagogics
We have worked together with schools in Gothenburg and the Västra Götaland region for several years with Cirkus Unik. We then mainly worked in vulnerable areas and also with children with functional variations and know the challenges.
We have experienced how children and teachers feel bad at school and understand that there is a great need for projects like this that highlight the theme of mental health and that reduce stigma.
We have developed methods to measure results, such as the Value Wheel, which became a large part of our inclusive method to see all the children in the group and stimulate commitment, participation and development in the groups.