Work in progress: Creative Recovery to creative livelihoods

Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide an update on the performative outcomes of the Creative Recovery project, an innovative community based Arts in Health initiative, since the initial launch in Lockhart River 2008, expansion to Aurukun in 2009, and Mornington Island in 2010. Results: With works from those three communities, the exhibition Work In Progress was launched during the Creating Futures Conference 2010. Selections from that exhibition are presented here. Conclusions: The Arts in Health model is both a culturally appropriate and sustainable model for the meaningful engagement of Indigenous people living in remote communities experiencing mental health problems. These types of projects offer unique opportunities for social enterprise, utilizing creativity as the tool for social inclusion. It has the potential to provide a niche economic opportunity which builds on the notion of recovery as incorporating meaningful livelihoods. © 2011 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.