UNESCO’s World Art Day: Creativity, Community and the Power to Transform Lives
- eliseath36
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
On World Art Day, we are reminded that art is far more than something to observe, it
is something to experience, to participate in, and to use as a powerful tool for
connection, wellbeing and transformation. As CEO of Remixd CIC I am bringing my
rich experience in community art and business, to an innovative approach to place
governance that puts creativity, community and lived experience at its heart an
Experience Improvement District (XID). The Ramsgate XID pilot is building a
programme of community led initiatives under the pillars of Nature, Wellbeing and
Future Heritage. At the centre of this is Happy Mondays a community and wellbeing
hub on Ramsgate high street using creativity and community engagement to improve
mental health, build confidence and engender a sense of belonging and civic pride.
I have worked in the creative industries for more than 25 years, predominantly within
community arts, working with children, young people, adults and older people, co-
creating artwork for school environments, play areas and public spaces. These
projects brought together people from different social backgrounds, activated public
spaces, and demonstrated how creative engagement can improve confidence,
connection and overall wellbeing.
During my time as Director of Art4Space we developed an accredited course for
primary school age children Why Art Matters. It supported children who were
experiencing behavioural challenges, at risk of disengagement, or struggling with
their mental health, with a fast paced 10-week immersive course introducing a wide
range of artistic mediums. Engagement in art provided the children with a platform to
express themselves and give them a sense of freedom and improved confidence as
they built a portfolio of work.
Alongside this, our Creative Remedies programme supported adults facing mental
health challenges. Through weekly sessions, often accessed via social prescribing or
GP referral, participants could step away from chaotic or isolating home
environments and enter a calm, supportive space. For two hours each week, they
could focus on their creativity, working on personal projects which gave them a
sense of agency, reduced anxiety and mindful experience.
Now, as CEO of Remixd CIC, and studying Place Management and Leadership at
the Institute of Place Management, I am building on these foundations.
Through Happy Mondays, a key anchor within the Ramsgate XID pilot, we are
creating a welcoming “third space” on the high street. Thanks to support
from Historic England, this initiative was started three years ago and has helped to
reimagine the role of our town centres, transforming them into places where people
can gather, create, and connect.
Happy Mondays offers a safe, inclusive environment for children, young people,
adults and older residents to come together, form friendships, take part in creative
activities and contribute to place-based projects across Ramsgate. Local artist and
Happy Monday’s attendee, David Gill has been bringing his paints and canvases to
the group for the past six months. He has a terminal illness and lives alone, Happy
Mondays has offered him a space to be a part of a community while he creates,
David has kindly donated his artwork to our fundraising efforts, you can find out more
here.
As we celebrate World Art Day, I encourage you to take a look at the upcoming
https://creativityandwellbeing.org.uk in May 18 th – May 26 th and come up with an
event to celebrate creativity in your community.
The Happy Monday’s fundraiser will continue until 4 th May you can:
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