Arts material toolkit
The Art Material Toolkit is a practical guide for HEAL Program facilitators, including expressive arts therapists, art therapists, and arts-based mental health practitioners, to support delivery of the 12-session HEAL program. It provides a starting point for building an arts materials inventory within your organization and is grounded in an asset-based approach that recognizes creative expression as a strength and resource.
Special feature: Showcases images of materials used in the program however, facilitators were not limited to these items and sourced other more specialized items as needed.
User outcomes
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Art material inspiration: This toolkit offers a starting point for building an art materials inventory for expressive arts programming. Programs are encouraged to use existing materials at their organization and gradually expand resources over time.
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Accessible art materials: Select materials that are accessible to people with a wide range of mobility, cognitive, and sensory experiences. Whenever possible, provide multiple versions of the same material (for example, a handheld dance ribbon, a wrist-attached ribbon, or a larger silk scarf).
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Identifying expressive arts impact: Different communities and cultures may respond differently to various art materials. Gather feedback from participants about their experiences with specific materials to improve suitability, engagement, and effectiveness.
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Activating all the senses: Expressive arts draw on multiple art forms. Including materials that engage different senses supports a fuller expressive arts practice and invites diverse forms of participation.
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Cultural relevance: All materials can be adapted to reflect specific cultural contexts and to meet accessibility needs, ensuring programming is inclusive, respectful, and responsive to participants.
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