YSP Wellbeing

Art and Wellbeing

Yorkshire Sculpture Park ysp.org.uk

WHAT IS WELLBEING AT YSP Wellbeing is something that affects us all, and has been the concern of anyone with a questioning mind since Aristotle. More recently it has become a matter for academics, clinicians and governments to identify opportunities and challenges facing the UK and the implications for everyone’s wellbeing.

The New Economics Forum says that for people to have positive wellbeing they also need: – A sense of individual vitality – To undertake activities which are meaningful, engaging and make them feel competent and autonomous – A stock of inner resources to help them cope when things go wrong and be resilient to changes beyond their immediate control.

At YSP, we also believe that a sense of creativity, purpose, connectedness and relationships with others are important – which is why all our wellbeing events are designed to be inspiring, warm and sociable. We are also strong believers in the healing powers of cake so there’s usually a good portion of that too!

We hope to create a programme to stimulate mind, body and soul: daydream and relearn the skill of being idle; escape on flights of fancy; connect with nature and fresh air; invigorate your creativity; have a moment of solace with a sculpture.

Our regular public events are open to all, and any profits generated help support our wider programme, including developing projects to make our offers accessible to those experiencing social, mental, economic or physical barriers.

WE HOPE TO CREATE A PROGRAMME TO STIMULATE MIND, BODY AND SOUL: DAYDREAM AND RELEARN THE SKILL OF BEING IDLE; ESCAPE ON FLIGHTS OF FANCY; CONNECT WITH NATURE AND FRESH AIR; INVIGORATE YOUR CREATIVITY; HAVE A MOMENT OF SOLACE WITH A SCULPTURE.

So if you want to stretch your body as well as your mind, you might enjoy Dawn Yoga in the Chapel, or a full day of Recharge – Yoga Retreat which includes a mix of yogic stretching and artistic experiences including gallery tours, plant printmaking, photography or outdoor sculpture making.

If walking is more your thing, keep an eye out for our programme Walk With..., walks devised by artists, herbalists, naturalists and psychotherapists. Try barefoot walks, mindful walks, sketchbook walks, moonlit walks, playful walks or silent walks. If that’s all too active and you feel the need to fend off the cult of busyness, join Rest is Radical and hang out in a hammock – or relax in a Soundbath Meditation in James Turrell’s Skyspace.

For nature lovers we’ve got Nightfall in the Woodland, and for those who want more quiet time to contemplate art, then Still Looking and Mindful Moments are perfect for you.

To find out more about the latest Wellbeing events at YSP, and to book online, visit ysp.org.uk/artandwellbeing

The Art and Wellbeing programme comprises a changing programme of public events, and a range of bespoke projects targeted at specific audiences.

These projects are funded by a range of partners, including Creative Minds as part of the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and are designed to improve the wellbeing of the more vulnerable people in our society.

For more information visit ysp.org.uk/artandwellbeing

Images Cover: Niki de Saint Phalle, Buddha, 2000 courtesy private collection. Photo Š Jonty Wilde. Above: Art + Social at YSP. Photo David Lindsay. Inside left: Yoga at YSP. Photo David Lindsay. Inside left: James Turrell, Deer Shelter Skyspace (interior), 2006. An Art Fund Commission. Photo Š Jonty Wilde.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park West Bretton, Wakefield WF4 4LG +44 (0)1924 832631 / info@ysp.org.uk