MeshworkReport_FINAL | Page 57

THE COMMISSIONING PROGRAMME 55 Arts and Health, facilitated by Daniel Regan, London, 2018 For the Labour of Love, facilitated by Priya Mistry, Nottingham, 2018 Arts and Health — led by Daniel Regan Arts and Health took place at Free Space Project, London and brought together artists who identify as having a socially engaged practice in arts and health with the aim of making new connections for peer support and knowledge exchange. A series of micro-workshops took place during the Get Together focusing on getting funding, troubleshooting projects, starting out and building connections. What was perhaps even more useful was the act of sharing feelings and fears, validating discussions around managing insecurity, anxiety and selfdoubt and the collectively acknowledged dread of ‘networking events’[…] A hive mind in action and one characterised by support and generosity. For The Love of Labour — led by Priya Mistry For The Love of Labour took place at Primary in Nottingham and involved preparing and eating a meal while exploring the question, ‘what does the culture of work in social practice say about how we value each other and the labour performed — paid, unpaid and emotional?’ When we are trusted and invested in, we are given the room to develop, take risks and experiment with our practice. When there is a lack of understanding about the nature of our work we are micromanaged, underpaid and overworked. Blog post, Gina Mollett Blog post, Katherine Lazenby