The performing arts is a people-driven business. In order for people to engage, create, and innovate, they need to be well. 

In this talk, Claire Spencer addresses the difficult topic of mental health in the high-pressure world of the performing arts. Shaken by the loss of a young employee, Spencer examined the available resources. While one of the Centre's core values is ‘Care More’ — creating a safe and secure environment for everybody — it felt reactive, rather than preventative. Was the mask of glamour and perfection hiding a broken industry? 

“On reflection, it seems that as a sector, we are good at picking people up when they fall, but not good at stopping them falling in the first place.”

Spencer noted that as a major cultural institution, Arts Centre Melbourne takes their responsibility as a sector leader very seriously. “And with so many issues present,” she asks, "how could we do nothing?” 

Watch Claire’s talk to learn how, with the support of government funding, corporate sponsorship, and philanthropic donations, a consortium of arts and cultural organisations formed a collective with the shared vision to improve mental health and wellbeing for performing arts workers.

Content Warning

This talk contains discussion of suicide.

If you are concerned for your own mental health and wellbeing or the mental health and wellbeing of others, please seek support.

Arts Wellbeing Collective website >

In the United States:

National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) 
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273 TALK (8255)

International Association for Suicide Prevention >

This talk was recorded live at the Tessitura Learning & Community Conference in Orlando in July 2018.