Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art is one of several projects in the running for the Robert E. Gard award. This is the inaugural year of the award which recognizes and celebrates an exemplary project from 2015 that has successfully crossed the arts into community life in meaningful measurable ways.

Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art was a seven-month-long exhibition exploring the impact of mental illness on society, and the role that arts can play to both encourage positive self-expression and guide effective mental health promotion and treatment. Mindful was developed by the Society for Contemporary Craft (SCC), a non-profit arts organization in Pittsburgh that uses art to build community and awareness around urgent social problems. The project examines links between mental health and the creative process by featuring works of art made by those who have been diagnosed with or affected by mental illness. By focusing public attention on this topic, the project encouraged the community to come together for positive sharing, open dialogue, and exchange on mental health needs and resources. SCC provided a nurturing space for this important dialogue to take place which took place beyond its gallery walls, making the project truly unique. Concurrent educational programming and resources, such as lectures, artist demonstrations, tours, studio workshops, a curriculum guide for schools, an illustrated exhibition catalogue with essays by national scholars, and a free hand-on activity developed by an exhibiting artist, give visitors of all ages an opportunity to connect with unique individuals and promote mental health.

The Society for Contemporary Craft partnered with artists from across the country, health and human service organizations, local primary schools and universities to make Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art possible. Project partners include: National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southwest Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Office of Behavioral Health, Center for Victims; Seton Hill University; Duquesne University and many others.

The winner of the 2016 Robert E. Gard Award will be announced at Americans for the Arts 2016 Annual Convention in Boston, MA during the Opening Plenary session on Friday, June 17, 2016, from 12:00 pm – 2:15 pm.