'Learned Hopefulness': An Arts-Based Approach to Participatory Action Research

This paper describes a 2-day conference at Lesley University for art therapists and people with mental illness who have experienced art therapy or make art for self-expression. Designed as a "participatory dialogue," the conference was a form of participatory action research (PAR) developed by the Center for Mental Health Services in Washington, DC, to foster collaboration between mental health professionals and consumers. Although a number of such dialogues have been held since 1997, this was the first to use artmaking to help disparate groups share perceptions as equals and begin to build partnerships. The arts-based approach to PAR enabled diverse participants to build trust and begin to create mutual understanding; art therapists began to integrate new perspectives into their professional attitudes and practices.