In recent years there has been a growing understanding of the impact that taking part in the arts can have on health and wellbeing. When used as a supplement to medicine and care, the arts have been proven to improve the health of people experiencing mental or physical health problems. Engaging in the arts can promote prevention of disease and build wellbeing. The arts have proven helpful in improving health care environments and staff retention in health care centres.
Visual arts can offer a powerful way to explore experiences, inspire dialogue on key issues, and facilitate connections while bridging differences. Engaging in the arts has been statistically proven to assist individuals dealing with stress, illness, trauma, addiction, and other concerns. Visual arts help people express thoughts and emotions that can be difficult to put into words, help lower stress and anxiety, inspire feelings of calm and happiness, and give a sense of pleasure and accomplishment. Many studies have also been published supporting the use of performance arts in therapies. Research has shown that performance arts, such as theatre and dance and music, can reduce illness related to stress and anxiety, relieve pain, provide a means of self-expression and communication, improve self esteem and social skills, lower symptoms of trauma, enhance treatment for addiction, and boost mental skills and mood. Moreover, engaging in the arts has been proven to help reduce delinquency in youth and improve an individuals’ sense of belonging and attachment to a community.
In 2016 several individuals from Arborg saw the need for an arts and wellness centre in the area and The Creative Cocoon was founded. In the fall of 2016 the Arborg Arts Committee was formed to advise the board.
The Creative Cocoon is a home for diverse arts programing and education. We strive to collaborate with artists, organizations, and schools to encourage the creation, appreciation, and understanding of the arts. We strive to create a gathering place where the community can participate in and celebrate creativity in personal and shared experiences of the arts. To be an educational facility, serving all ages from pre-school through seniors. To be an exhibit space for visual artists from Arborg and throughout Manitoba and beyond. To be a multi-disciplinary centre offering functional arts and wellbeing space for the community and surrounding area.
Our Values
Love and Compassion: The Creative Cocoon will strive to operate with love and compassion in all its interactions. To be accepting and welcoming of all people. To welcome those around us into love and light. We believe that each of us is worthy of great love and we believe great strength and healing are found in great love. We believe in being kind.
Responsibility and Integrity: It is a responsibility and a privilege to be serving the Arborg community. We will strive to serve, honour, and care for the community of Arborg, both it’s people and it’s land. This includes practices such as recycling and being eco-conscious as well as being a true contributor to the community.
Collaboration and Harmony: We believe that we are all in this together and that we are stronger together than we are on our own. We believe in the importance of caring for, serving, and honouring the land and each other.
Hope and Renewal: We believe in hope. There is a butterfly behind every barrier. We believe everyone has a story and those stories are important. We believe that the world is full of beauty and we will strive to see it in all areas. We believe in dancing to the music.
Vulnerability and Communication: We believe that sensitivity and vulnerability are strengths and not weakness. We believe that what is soft is strong. Like water, we are soft, strong, and graceful. We believe in being open, honest, and clear in our communication.
The Creative Cocoon is advised by Arborg Arts Committee. This committee consists of Luminaries who help guide and shape The Creative Cocoon.
Luminary: A person who inspires or influences others, especially one prominent in a particular sphere. A leading or guiding light. An inspiration and role model.
Community Pillars Luminaries: Community Pillar Luminaries are special luminaries who attend meetings as they are able but may not be able to attend all meetings due to health or travel in their stage of life. These are respected members of our community who bring wisdom and guidance as our elders through their experience. They help further our vision through care, guidance, and support of the arts and healing. This is a role of nurturing and educating.
Youth Engagement Luminary: Promotes the arts centre through social media. May be responsible for hanging posters in youth areas such as the drop in or schools. This luminary helps come up with ideas that are attractive to youth and helps promote events in youth circles. They may create promotional videos for youth or help host events where youth may attend.
Music Luminary: This luminary has skills and experience in the music field. They may help to book concerts and musicians for the area, organize music for events and fundraisers, and be the logistical coordinator for musical events/workshops.
Dance Luminary: The dance luminary helps book dance shows and take care of dance related events. They help promote dance in the community.
Art Luminary: This luminary has artistic skills or simply a passion for art. They help book art exhibits, classes and workshops and help organize art nights. They help with art hanging and logistics and provide a creative and artistic eye for events and building.
Theatre Luminary: The theatre luminary helps book theatre performances, workshops and classes and helps promote theatre in the community.
Lifestyle and Wellness Luminary: A lifestyle and wellness luminary might be a nutritionist, nurse, massage therapist, fitness instructor, or other health and wellness practitioner in their everyday life and helps to promote those aspects in the community. They may help to book workshops, classes or unique experiences relating to healthy lifestyles and wellness. They may help with organizing or promoting yoga, meditation, mental health, self care, and nutrition.
Author Luminary: An author luminary promotes the arts of writing and reading. They may organize author’s nights, poetry readings, workshops, classes, or book clubs.
Food Luminary: Someone who is passionate about food, especially nutrition. Someone who has an eye for the beauty and art of food. This luminary may help with arranging food for fundraisers and events.
Media/Promotion Luminary: This luminary is skilled with technology and advertising. They may help to contact newspapers, radio stations and other media regarding events, programing, and fundraisers. They update and maintain social media accounts and help with website maintenance.
Welcome Luminary: This luminary is someone who makes people feel at home. Their primary goal is to make sure that our values are felt and maintained at meetings, events, and in the building. Each person who enters our events should feel special and like they belong.
Financial Luminary: A financial luminary is someone who has financial literacy and may act as treasurer and provide financial guidance.
If you feel that you or someone you know fits one of these categories please contact us! We are currently looking for people in a number of these positions!