Artemisia’s Toolkit

Artemisia’s Toolkit is here to help student survivors establish their own survivor-based art programs at their college or university. Modeled after Project Artemisia’s expressive arts healing workshops, this toolkit will provide leaders with step-by-step instructions to promote mental health resources to their peers. It is organized into four different categories: Supporting Yourself, Partnerships, Logistics, Activities. Survivorship does not make us powerless. With Artemisia’s Toolkit, survivors can feel empowered to heal and help others. 

For a sample schedule of the Expressive Arts Healing Workshop, click here.

Things to Note

  • This toolkit is intended to be used by survivors with the intent of serving survivors. The work done here is, to be blunt, emotionally challenging. Before getting into this work, ensure that you have a support system in place, be it a counselor, friend, or mentor.
  • The tools provided here are loose guidelines. Not all that is written may apply to the work that you want to do. Take what you need and leave the rest. 
  • Organizing workshops can be costly. This toolkit will provide a range of options for organizing within your budget. 
  • Be authentic. Be flexible. Be prepared.
raising hand

Supporting Yourself

As mentioned above, this is difficult work. Survivor-based programming is not something one should do alone. Ensure that you have a secure support system or co-leadership prior to starting. The following tips are not all inclusive of what you may need for self-care, but take note of them and remember to make time for yourself.

Self-Care Before the Workshop

  • Mental Preparation: Reflect on your reasons for attending and set personal goals. Think of your whys. It can be a number of things–reclaiming power, ending the stigma of survivorship, creating a safe space…etc. This will help keep you grounded. 
  • Rest: Ensure you get adequate sleep the night before. Lack of sleep can elevate anxiety. This workshop can be a trigger, so do your best to rest up the night before. 
  • Hydration and Nutrition: Stay hydrated and eat a balanced meal before attending. The morning of the workshop may be hectic. Set aside at least 15 minutes for yourself to eat breakfast to stay energized throughout the program. 

During the Workshop

  • Participation: Engage at your comfort level; it’s okay to step back if needed. When playing the role of organizer and participant, it is important to find the balance between active listening and sharing. This is a safe space for not only participating survivors to heal, but you as well. 
  • Breaks: Take advantage of scheduled breaks and step outside if you need a breather. Don’t feel obligated to maintain an active environment during each break. You are allowed to take a moment for yourself if needed. 
  • Support Resources: Utilize the DCVAC staff if you need additional support. They are there for you too. You are a leader, but you are allowed to need support as well during the workshop. 

After the Workshop

  • Reflection: Take time to journal your thoughts and feelings. Sharing and listening to stories with a group can be emotionally draining. Find an outlet for release and reflection to fully process the day. 
  • Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself and recognize the bravery it takes to participate. Organizing an event like this is huge. It doesn’t matter the size of the turnout. You made an impact on someone’s life. That took courage and strength. Be proud of yourself. 
  • Follow-Up: Reach out to facilitators or support staff if you have lingering questions or need further assistance. Turn to your support network–the people that believe you and embrace your feelings. 

Partnerships

Facilitator Team

  • Expressive Arts Professionals: Find what form of art therapy best suits your interests for the workshop. This could be visual arts, music, performance, movement, writing…etc. Outsourcing mental health professionals can be expensive. As students, the best place to develop your facilitator team is at school. Your counseling and psychological service may have recommendations. Another option is to reach out to Creative Arts Therapy departments at various Masters programs. For those in the Philadelphia area, Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions can be of assistance in connecting you with certified arts therapists or arts therapy students that would be interested in facilitating. 

Support Team

  • Sexual Violence Prevention Programming Coordinator: When organizing this workshop, it is important to have a member of your school’s staff to consult. It is recommended that you set up monthly or weekly meeting with whomever specializes in sexual violence prevention–this could be the Title IX Coordinator or Health and Wellness Coordinator. They can help direct you to a stronger facilitation team and educate you on trauma-informed practices. 
  • Victims Assistance: Any survivor-based program has the capacity to be a trigger for attendees. Though the facilitation team can help, it is best to have additional support. Reach out to organizations that specialize in survivor care like the Delaware County Victims Assistance Center to oversee the workshop. 
  • Volunteer Support: Reach out to your school’s Title IX Office, Health and Wellness Office, or Gender and Sexuality Center to assist with advertising and logistics. This program is a lot to shoulder for one person. Take advantage of your school’s resources to develop a team. 

Logistics

Location and Time

  • Date: Set a date three months in advance. This will give you adequate time to form partnerships and develop a facilitation team. You will also need this time to advertise and reserve a space for the workshop. 
  • Time: 10am-2pm (with morning refreshments and lunch provided). This can be adjusted depending on how many activities you wish to have at your workshop. 
  • Location: Use a large meeting space for the program location. If movement therapy is one of your activities, make sure that your space can be cleared of all furniture. Spaces can be reserved through your school. If your budget allows for it, the location can be moved off-campus to prevent any on-campus triggers. 

Registration and Promotion

  • Registration Forms: Distributed a month prior to the workshop with promotional flyers to gauge attendance.
  • Promotion Channels: Title IX Coordinators, Health and Wellness Education Staff, and leaders of Gender and Sexuality Centers at colleges in the area.
  • Wellness Toolkits (optional): These toolkits can hold small items that you think may be beneficial to the attendees. Some things may include journals, bookmarks, or a travel-sized paint set. 

Activities

  • Check-ins: Are accessibility needs being met? What can we as a group do to help ease everyone into the workshop and make them as comfortable as possible? At the start of the workshop, set community agreements. This can be done conversationally, or you can write down all agreements on a poster. Agreements can look like: 
    • What is said here, stays here
    • Feel free to pass on a prompt or activity; step out if you feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed 
  • Icebreakers: Introductions are always difficult, especially when working in a trauma-centered environment. During group introductions, present a prompt so the participants can get to know one another. Depending on the group size, you can have the participants share out to the group or a pair share. Some example icebreakers are: 
    • What artistic medium would you use to tell your story–painting, tv, music–and what would you title it? 
    • What is your relationship with art? 
  • Expressive Arts Exercises: The arts therapy programming can be designed and led by the creative arts therapists. Some activities may include: 
    • Beauty from Pain: Make something “ugly.” Take ten minutes to scribble on a piece of paper using markers or oil pastels. Then, take another ten minutes to tear up that paper and use the scraps to make a new piece of art. Use the last ten minutes for the group to share their art.
    • Character Movements:  Have each participant assign a positive “I am” statement to themselves–I am good, I am strong, I am healing…etc. Pair the statement with a small movement–hand over heart, hands on hips…etc. Each participant will go around in a circle repeating their “I am” statement and movement. 

You’re not alone.