Abstract

There is a growing body of evidence, theory and policy which supports broad participation in arts and cultural activity as an integral element in meaningful, well-lived lives within a socially just society. The contexts in which this participation might occur are being expanded through partnerships between the arts and other fields including education and health promotion. This paper begins with a snapshot of some of the developments in this field within Australia, with an overview of several arts, education and health promotion approaches within schools and communities where children and young people are at increased risk of mental health issues. The paper argues that intersectoral approaches demand particular skills and knowledge from interdisciplinary teams, and that new forms of training and professional development are required for artists and other collaborating professionals. A recent successful example of a capacity developing approach addressing this need was the innovative Artists Training Program. Originating from within the Festival for Healthy Living, a mental health promotion program of the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, the Artists Training Program identified artists’ needs and their preferred modes of learning in order to promote more effective interdisciplinary team work focussed on the wellbeing of children and young people.