It has been nearly two months since the Expressive Art Group at The MET Maroochydore closed its doors abruptly. The legislation requiring all groups under the NDIS umbrella to shut down and the associated funding cuts meant that huge holes were left in the lives of its participants. To many of these individuals, this was more than just an art group; it was a lifeline.
More Than Just Art: Building Confidence and Connection
Expressive Art Group has given its participants the privilege to experiment with vast artistic techniques and processes for the nearly four years it has run. They discovered confidence, pride, and self-worth through creativity. For several members, this group has stood out as a very safe space, where they could truly feel seen, accepted, and valued.
Chony Bowden, founder of the expressive groups said: "They go through real personal transformation."
“I was often told by participants that the only time they left the house other than to attend medical appointments was to go to Expressive Art Group, because they felt accepted and safe within the group dynamics, often calling other participants their 'friends'.”
The majority of attendees go through serious mental health-related challenges, psychosocial disabilities, or physical disabilities, which differently victimize each of them. It was a rare occasion for meeting, bonding, and feeling part of something huge. As Chony elucidates, this joining is vital to the members' mental health and overall well-being.
A Platform for Growth and Recognition
Ever since the formation of the Expressive Art Group, it has harnessed its potential for participants to display their works, strengthening their pride as well as identity as artists. So far, over the years, some work has been exhibited throughout several local venues, including:
The Maroochydore Library (Weaving Country Whole exhibition)
The Maroochy Botanical Garden (Nature Photography exhibition)
The MET in Maroochydore (Humans in Nature large mural)
Emerging at The Old Ambulance Station (a student art showcase)
The Coolum Civic Centre (Disability Arts Exhibition)
Seeing their work on display to the public and sold to admirers changed how participants viewed themselves not as students but as artists with real value to contribute to the community.
The Financial Reality Behind the Group’s Closure
Keeping up a program like Expressive Art Group has never been about creating a profit. Quite the opposite; it involved herculean efforts and monetary commitments to ensure that this group remained functional. Even though people pay an average of $110 to attend a single class, this has led to the following costs:
Rent: $150 per session
Materials: $100-300 per week
Second Facilitator: $100 per hour x 3 hours = $300 (NAVA rate)
Business Costs: Administration (invoicing, emails, materials sourcing), setup, and pack-down totaled over 6 hours of work per week.
These costs would probably leave Chony taking home about $200 after working for the entire week as lead facilitator amount that can hardly be regarded as juiced for such a labor-intensive program.
But newly proposed NDIS initiatives really will render programs such as these financially impossible to maintain. Facilitators can now bill a maximum fee of $67 an hour beneath this newly revised framework. This is then divided up per the number of participants. So, in a group of five students, that would be just $13.40 each anywhere near enough to cover rent, materials, and facilitator time.
The Devastating Impact on Participants
After the group was closed, many participants started contacting Chony, asking for their return dates. Many are suffering from isolationism, and grieving, and have few positive self-expression opportunities. Expressive Art Group was not just about making art, but about building friendships, finding joy, and fostering self-confidence.
So, as Chony reflects:
“While I can understand that the NDIS needed some restructuring, making it pretty much impossible for people with psycho-social and physical disabilities to be involved in community groups and spaces where they feel accepted is heartbreaking and detrimental to these people’s well-being.”
A Call to Action
The termination of the Expressive Art Group, however, is a loss not just to its participants but to the entire community. A program like this provides avenues for people with disabilities to connect, express themselves, and add value to societal living.
Restrictive funding policies that consider neither of the realities of running community programs put at risk the closure by deepening alienation and struggle for already vulnerable individuals.
One of the strong reminders that this closed group presented to the public was the necessity of supporting collaborative, imaginative, and connecting programs. The loss is deep for those who took part in the Expressive Art Group, but it is hoped that awareness and advocacy will ultimately lead to solving the problem.
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