By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A LONG-RUNNING arts studio for people with mental illness is set to close next month due to the loss of state funding.
Art Seekers Studios, which offers a free arts space led by a trained professional artist for up to 100 people a week, has operated in Noble Park and Pakenham for the past eight years.
The Arts Access Victoria program’s annual $97,000 funding will end in July after the State Government recommissioned funding for mental health services, including art therapy.
Arts Access Victoria executive director Veronica Pardo said participants would be, at least for the time being, left without alternatives to the tight creative group from 31 July.
There’s a “sense of family” among the group – “people come and support each other,” Ms Pardo said.
Some members have been part of the artists’ club for several years and that they don’t have to talk about their illness, but simply make art.
“They have come together and built that connection. Now this loss is causing a lot of distress amongst the group.”
Art has a subtle therapeutic effect on the participants and one of the “tangible outcomes” was being able to tell one’s story, she said.
“It can be hard to find the words to communicate to others. This is a way of expressing and sharing their experiences.”
A spokeswoman for Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge said Arts Access Victoria did not put in a bid for the recommissioned funding “despite being advised several times of the process and what Arts Access needed to do to be considered for further funding”.
She said the government was in “ongoing discussions” with Arts Access Victoria about the outcome.
“The process was designed to enable any suitably qualified provider to apply, including organisations currently providing services.”
She said the new model Mental Health Community Support Services would be tailored to individual needs rather than offering proscriptive programs.
“No current clients will miss out on the services they need to manage or recover from their mental illness.”
The group is exhibiting at Heritage Hill gallery, Dandenong, until 22 June.
