Capacity building, HEAL Resources

Module 2: Preparing the canvas, thoughtful preparations

What helps create safe, supportive, and accessible expressive arts programs for newcomers experiencing gender-based domestic violence (GBDV)?

This module explores the preparation, partnerships, and facilitation practices that strengthen expressive arts programming for newcomer communities experiencing GBDV. Building on the foundations introduced in Module 1, this module explores how thoughtful planning, collaborative relationships, culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches, and strong facilitation teams shape expressive arts programming. It examines how recruitment, intake processes, and participant engagement strategies help create environments where individuals feel welcomed, respected, supported, and connected. The module invites service providers to reflect on how preparation and collaboration shape experiences of safety, belonging, and meaningful participation within expressive arts programs and newcomer communities.

What you will learn?

Understand how thoughtful preparation, partnership-building, and facilitation structures support trauma-informed and culturally responsive expressive arts programming.
Identify the roles, training needs, and team-based practices that enable facilitators to create safe, responsive, and inclusive expressive arts programs.
Explore participant recruitment, engagement, and intake practices that foster safety, accessibility, trust, and meaningful participation among newcomer communities experiencing GBDV.
Reflect on how preparation, collaboration, and participant engagement contribute to creating expressive arts programs that promote safety, belonging, and support within newcomer communities.

Sections in this module

This module is organized into four sections. Each section explores a key concept or approach that supports the overall learning outcomes. References referred to within the module can be accessed in the final section of this learning module.

Community and building partnerships
Facilitation teams and supporting roles
Participant recruitment and engagement
Artful response and additional resources

How does the course work?

Creative Pathways is a self-directed course made up of 6 modules. The modules will engage you in several topics related to GBDV and the arts, through participatory activities, videos, and additional resources. Each module will take approximately 1 – 1.5 hrs. to complete.

Acknowledgements

Creative Pathways is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to prevent and address family violence in partnership with six implementation agencies including Arab Community Centre of Toronto (ACCT), Canadian-Bangladeshi Community Services (BCS), Toronto Neighbourhood Group (TNG), Sherbourne Health, Art + Health, and the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic. Curriculum developed by the HEAL project team.

Questions? Contact: arts@accessalliance.ca