Jen Webb – Art on Prescription: Providing Creative Interventions for Wellbeing

Abstract  The production of creative objects for wellbeing seems to have been part of human culture since the dawn of our emergence as a species. It did, though, take until the 20th century before it became formalized and institutionalized – first as art therapy and more recently as a part of social prescribing. In this seminar I will briefly touch the history of creative intervention for wellbeing, and then outline key contemporary aspects of this significant practice.  Bio  Jen Webb is Distinguished Professor Emerita of Creative Practice at the University of Canberra. A poet and cultural theorist, she has published a number of books on key concepts in culture. Her recent poetry collections include Moving Targets (2018), Flight Mode (2020); and The Daily News (2024).  Her current scholarly work focuses on creative practice and/for wellbeing; her poetry focuses on material poetics, and questions of being.  This presentation was accompanied by slides. To view the slides head to JenWebb_Presentation.pptx