Creativity in a cold climate: Art therapy-based organisational consultancy within public healthcare

Abstract

Abstract This article has been developed from a pilot research project on art therapy-based organisational consultancy within public healthcare. It attempts to describe the climate within the world of work, particularly within the NHS, brought on by unprecedented changes and cuts. One of consequences is the freezing and paralysing of thinking and creativity at work. The concept of creativity and work is reviewed and it is argued that there has never been a more important time to value creativity: connecting (or for some, re-connecting) with some form of creative expression (in this case, visual art) can help regain some ability to think and reflect. Art Therapy-based consultancy is described and explored as one of the possible ways of doing this. The article is illustrated throughout by vignettes and themes from the pilot research project which involved a group of NHS middle managers. It aims to demonstrate how Art Therapy-based organisational consultancy can help maintain wellbeing at work, especially at times of acute stress and anxiety.