About
Access Alliance has mobilized expressive arts approaches to improve the mental health and wellbeing of newcomer families since 2002. It is becoming increasingly a team-based model to integrate creativity as part of an individual’s healthcare and settlement journey. Many initiatives are led by health promoters, community health workers, artists, arts-based therapists, and supported by primary care, allied health, and settlement professionals. Impacts are multi-layered and sustainable.
This digital platform serves as a central source of knowledge for practitioners, management, researchers and academics seeking to build capacity for the arts to improve the mental health of newcomer families such as expressive arts and community art. By sharing knowledge and best practices, we aim to strengthen arts integration to reimagine newcomer healthcare and settlement.
Read below about major initiatives Access Alliance has woven into the foundations of mental health and well-being using the arts as an effective intervention.
Hubs of Expressive Arts for Life (HEAL) project
HEAL Project is a collaborative project led by Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services. It brings together peer researchers, community members, and academic partners. Focused on newcomer survivors of domestic violence in Toronto, HEAL uses a culturally safe, arts-based, community-driven approach to promote healing and well-being. Through co-designed expressive arts interventions, the project aims to address the health impacts of family violence and identify promising practices that support trauma-informed care and recovery.
Arts for mental health & well-being model of care
Building on Access Alliance’s two decades of experience in arts-based practices, our team has developed a model that supports newcomer mental health through creative expression. Using a client-centred approach, it offers an accessible alternative where individuals can engage in mental health learning and skill-building through the arts, at a pace that feels safe and comfortable.
Access Alliance expressive arts trailer featuring a variety of arts-based programs across sites. Videography by Alejandra Higuera.
Funders
Partners
- MABELLEarts
- Shadowland Theatre
- Tiffany Music Therapy
- Dance Together
- CREATE Institute
- Textile Museum of Canada
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Art Gallery of Ontario
- FLOURISH Collective University of Toronto Scarborough
- York University
- University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health
- University of Toronto Factor Inwentash School of Social Work
- Arab Community Centre of Toronto
- Bangladeshi Community Services
- Sherbourne Health
- Art + Health
- Toronto Neighbourhood Group
- Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
- Nellie’s Shelter
- Women’s Assaulted Helpline
- Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants