Art of the Minds aims to activate, educate and engage the Surf Coast and wider community to creatively manage mental health and wellbeing.
Our festival message throughout October and coinciding with National Mental Health Week, is aimed at reducing stigma and normalising the experience of mental illness across all ages and demographics of the population.
Art of the Minds is passionate about sharing resilience-focused messages by reinforcing through creative education platforms, that Hope is central to the recovery of all mental wellbeing challenges.
We focus on the importance of community connections, by attracting like-minded individuals to not only attend our events but also share positive lived experiences of mental wellbeing management.
Our 5 C’s! Celebrating Creative Community Conversations & Connections in mental wellbeing.
Our mission is realised through a week of interactive events across the Surf Coast Shire, where Art of The Minds fosters creative conversations through a festival showcasing both local and visiting artists, individuals, and groups.
The festival invites people of all ages to engage in creative, educational conversations about mental wellbeing, covering both personal management and support, as well as individual mental health.
Our signature events include:
Local creatives, services, and retail businesses play an integral role in fostering community participation in all activities, with a focus on attracting visitors to the region as well.
Art of The Minds has evolved into a powerful community conversation focused on mental wellbeing, connecting individuals across the Surf Coast and regional areas. This vibrant festival highlights the brilliant talents of local artists and fosters a week of inclusive, community-driven activities. From young to old, the festival unites people in a shared journey of creative expression and conversation.
At the heart of this event is the power of storytelling and sharing. Through diverse creative outlets such as theatre, song, visual arts, music, yoga, and sound, Art of The Minds encourages open dialogues about mental illness. It provides a safe space for individuals to express themselves, connect, and find solidarity.
A key aim of the festival is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and offer support to those living with mental health challenges and their families and networks. By spotlighting personal stories and promoting empathetic conversations, Art of The Minds empowers the community to discuss mental health openly and to stand together in supporting one another on this important journey.
Join us in celebrating the strength, creativity, and resilience of our community. Through art and shared experience, we work to build understanding, reduce stigma, and support mental wellbeing for everyone.
Art of The Minds: A Journey of Creative Conversations on Mental Wellbeing
2015
Jules Haddock’s solo sculpture exhibition and the launch of her Lived Experience storybook, The Anxious Bird, marked the beginning of Art of The Minds. The “Mental Pop-up Evening” at BOOM Gallery in Geelong featured a variety of performances, including song, dance, and poetry, all centered around the theme of how the arts support mental health and recovery.
2016
With support from the Surf Coast Shire, The Anxious Bird expanded into a larger event, gathering 20 artists for an exhibition during National Mental Health Week. A diverse group, including individual artists and art therapists, contributed pieces from community organizations. The event culminated in a free educational night on mental illness, attended by 70 people.
2017
Art of The Minds grew with a dynamic program, including live theatre, art activities, an award-winning play, yoga, and educational seminars. This micro festival saw widespread community engagement and positive media coverage.
2018
Art of The Minds became an incorporated not-for-profit charity, supported by the Surf Coast Shire and Bendigo Bank. New events were added, and the festival was officially launched by the Mayor as part of Mental Health Week. Growing support from local businesses, health services, and creative organizations helped ensure the festival’s sustainability and expanded community impact.
2019 Onwards
The 2019 festival was a significant milestone, growing to 29 events, with broad appeal and high attendance. The festival garnered media attention and attracted new partners, further solidifying its importance in the community. It was also selected as a finalist for the Regional Development Victoria Leadership and Innovation Award, a recognition of its significant contribution to mental health awareness.
2020
Despite the challenges of Covid-19, the festival adapted to online platforms, offering over 30 events and engaging the community in mental health education and conversation. The team’s adaptability ensured the festival continued to thrive under unprecedented conditions.
2021
The festival returned with a mix of online and in-person events, emphasizing community connections, education, and celebrating the strength of the Surf Coast community.
2022
With 25 events in just one week, the festival offered a diverse program, including art exhibitions, wellness retreats, live music, and educational events, all aimed at raising awareness of mental health and providing valuable resources for support.
2023-2024
Art of The Minds continued to grow, hosting over 30 events in collaboration with community partners. The 2023 Gala Ball raised over $17,000 for Foundation61’s new women’s rehabilitation center in Mount Duneed, demonstrating the festival’s ongoing commitment to supporting mental health causes.
2025 and Beyond
As founder Jules Haddock steps down from the presidency, the 2025 festival will focus on reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness. Sarah Molnar will take on the role of President, with Elizabeth Riordan joining as the incoming Vice President. With a continued emphasis on key events that champion this message, Art of The Minds looks forward to carrying on its mission of creative expression and community support this October for Mental Health Week.
Art of the Minds acknowledges evidence-based research in the planning of all events, with particular focus towards creative recovery. We strongly emphasise The Peer Support Model where a person with a lived experience shares a story in supporting a person experiencing a mental illness, or who maybe worsening. This has proven to be powerful in encouraging disclosure of symptoms and experiences people would ordinarily hide, and then be affected by. In recent years, the psychiatric hospitals and Mental Health services employ people with a lived experience who understand the Recovery Model of wellness, reflecting the growing awareness of the holistic factors in the Bio-psychosocial model of mental health cause, prevention and recovery.
The Arts has always stood as an excellent vehicle of expression for feelings and emotions that are sometimes difficult for people to discuss, especially considering the stigma associated with mental illness. Our festival creates a great sense of safety, and connection to others, as mental illness is an illness that can stifle voices and creates further isolation.
Our festival also educates participants about mental illness, as to recover from any illness, in this case a mental illness, one needs to know what you are recovering from in order to heal. Knowledge is power in Recovery.
Our education approach is not only enjoyable to the senses, but cultivates a cultural shift for our community that it is not only ok to experience a mental illness, there is hope in recovery and people to assist you in managing mental wellbeing creatively.
