Artists, Creatives & Arts Organisation Consultation.
Chris works with organisations, productions, and projects to provide exemplary systems to support the wellbeing of artists.
This can be achieved through consultancy, mental health risk assessment, workshops developed for specific needs, and working longer-term with organisations to develop whole company strategies and drive structural change.
This work may include:
Workshops for performers on rehearsal and performance season strategies to care for yourself when presenting trauma on stage.
Workshops on self-care during show season for performance-based artists
Workshops on self-care during festivals for arts workers and artists
Workshops on interpersonal communication in arts organisations
Providing debrief sessions to actors/artists after a show run ends.
Providing ‘on call’ sessions to staff and artists when required during shows
Assessing mental health risk, or a ‘wellbeing audit’ of arts organisations and productions, and then providing a report outlining a plan to improve
Chris has provided tailored workshops and mental health consultation for the Rising Festival, Melbourne Theatre Company, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Arts Wellbeing Collective (Arts Centre Melbourne), Gaytimes Festival, National Institute of Dramatic Arts, Australian Academy of Music, Arts House (City of Melbourne), Matchbox Pictures, National Gallery of Victoria, Linden New Art Gallery, Melbourne Science Museum, Australia Council for the Arts, Trader House Restaurant Group, Hey Lemonade App, Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association, ACON, Back to Back Theatre, Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families (London)
Chris also works with artists and producers to offer consultation on work that aims to reduce stigma and increases understanding of mental health and wellbeing in the community.
Chris also has experience working with film and television productions to provide mental health support and risk assessment, including acting as support for children on set and writing reports for submission to meet Child Health and Safety requirements.
“Chris was resourceful, empathetic and imaginative in his workshops for staff and artists. His detailed knowledge of the arts industry means he’s not just giving textbook advice – he’s giving hands-on, practical ways to support artists and artworkers, understanding the nitty gritty of our sector.”
— Simon Abrahams, Creative Director and CEO - Melbourne Fringe
