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What is Independent Advocacy

Art as Advocacy

and Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition

About the project

This project is for people who have lived experience of mental health issues who want to use the arts as a way to have their voices heard.

The main ways that we do this are through Edinburgh Thrive Arts Programme, the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition.

Get in touch about Art as Advocacy by email pam@capsadvocacy.org or by phone 07989402634.

A group of people view an exhibition. A woman writes onto a large box which is covered in writing and drawing

Edinburgh Thrive Arts Programme

This is year-round and is part of Thrive Edinburgh the innovative new strategy for improving the mental health and wellbeing of all citizens in Edinburgh. The programme brings together and supports activities organised by individuals and organisations.

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival is a national platform for the arts in all its forms which are in relation to mental health and wellbeing. The main festival happens in October of each year and takes place throughout Scotland.

Out of Sight Out of Mind Exhibition

Out of Sight Out of Mind is an annual multi-media exhibition which shows artworks made by people who have experience of mental health issues. It takes place in Edinburgh during October and now also as an online exhibition. 

The exhibition is organised by people with lived experience of mental health issues. It is part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and Edinburgh Thrive Arts Programme. It is facilitated by CAPS Independent Advocacy.

African Glimpse by Maryam Yahia
BPD Labels by Mirir

Submit your artwork 

Individuals and groups of people who have personal lived experience of mental health issues can submit artwork to the exhibition.

Help organise the exhibition

Making sure that people with lived experience of mental health issues organise the exhibition helps to ensure that the voices and needs of the people who are exhibiting are centred. 

CAPS support the Planning Group in this work by facilitating meetings and undertaking certain tasks. Individuals and organisations working on behalf of people with lived experience of mental health are welcome to join.

They meet regularly throughout the year to plan. Sometimes people focus on specific tasks like PR or curation, or the practical aspects of helping in October. 

You can expect an informal group who welcome people regardless of their previous arts experience.

For more information or to get involved visit the exhibition website or contact Pam on pam@capsadvocacy.org

View all our collective advocacy projects

Photography on this page by Chris Scott and Ian Dodds.

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