The Center for the Arts and Social Transformation (C.A.S.T.)

cast1The mission of the Center for the Arts and Social Transformation is to explore and develop ways that the creative arts deepen our understanding of the human condition, to raise public awareness and stimulate public dialogue on critical social issues, and to expand and enrich the conception of health and human services.

The Center is a program of The University of New England School of Social Work, whose value-based mission embodies a commitment to struggle against oppression in all forms. The School of Social Work is part of the College of Health Professions, which has a commitment to innovative interdisciplinary health education. Established in 2000, the Center provides a structure to demonstrate the values and commitment of the School, College, and University through innovative programming, outreach and education, and the development of collaborative partnerships in the community.

Program Goals

    To identify and tap into the creative potential of constituent individuals, including social work students, faculty, practitioners, and clients.
     
    To promote use of the arts as a means to sensitize professionals and the public to both the plight and the resilience of the human condition, and to stimulate and promote civic dialogue.
     
    To explore the medium of the creative arts as expressive therapies and healing activities.
     
    To celebrate human diversity, connection, creativity, and understanding.

Program Description

Since its inception, the Center for Arts and Social Transformation has focused in three areas:

1. Development and Sponsorship of Creative Arts Productions

Play Productions   The Calling by Clay Graybeal -The first production of CAST was the presentation of the play, The Calling. The play, authored by faculty member Clay Graybeal, explored two main themes: surviving trauma and transcending the chasm between helper and helped. The Calling was first produced and presented at the Oak Street Theatre in Portland, Maine, in May of 1999 and attended by more than 900 people. The production was supported by funding from the Maine State Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS). This resulted in over one hundred community service providers and mental health consumers attending performances. Two performances of the play were followed by panel discussions including trauma survivors, mental health professionals, academics, and actors. The play was produced again in January 2001 at the Portland Stage, and was again supported by the Maine DMHMRSAS. The play was also professionally videotaped and the tape is available for sale for educational purposes.
     
    A Gershwin Holiday - December 15 & 16, 2001. This fundrasing concert was presented at the Ludcke Auditorium on the Westbrook Campus of UNE in Portland.
     
    shadowShadow Souls by Clay Graybeal - September 12-22, 2002.

This play is the story of five women over the course of one night in a women's residence. Throughout the night, they must cope with their fears of loneliness and violence, being labeled with psychiatric diagnoses, and fears of losing one another and their place to live.
   
     
    Crosses by Marie Paschke - October 25, 2002. This play, written by a graduate social work student, and developed in collaboration with CAST, describes the interactions between a young women who has survived sexual abuse, and her mother, who denies her experience. It will be co-sponsored by The Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and will be presented as part of a day-long workshop on domestic violence.
     
    gageThe Second Coming of Joan of Arc by Carolyn Gage - October 30, 2001.

Written and performed by lesbian, feminist playwright Carolyn Gage, this interpretive look at the life of Joan of Arc, has been described by author Phyllis Chesler as, "high art and revolutionary theatre combined." More information on Carolyn Gage.
     
Play Readings   One Hundred Percent All American Girl by Colin Sargent - July 22, 2001
     
    Six Dudes in Search of an Answer by Cathy Plourde - September 9, 2001.

2. Development of Community and Professional Partnerships

    In 2000, CAST developed a collaboration with a local community-based mental health center, Counseling Services, Inc. Our first project together was the Creative Practices Initiative, which led to the University co-sponsoring a Healthy Mind, Healthy Body community fair in March of 2000, and a community development workshop with Isaye Barnwell, of Sweet Honey and the Rock, in April of 2000.
     
    We are also exploring potential field site development for graduate students, with an eye to promoting the connection between social work and the application of creative arts to the enhancement of social well being.

3. Curricular Innovation and Research, and Dissemination of Findings

    Course work - In the fall of 2000, we introduced a new course, The Creative Arts in Social Work. This course is designed to explore the use and potential uses of creative arts in social work practice. This course explored the application of the arts in three main areas: (1) promoting and enhancing self-awareness and personal growth for the professional social worker, (2) identifying and tapping into client’s personal and interpersonal strengths and resources through application in psychotherapy, groupwork, and other forms of direct practice, and (3) inspiring social awareness, public dialogue, and social change.
     
    Research: Research is currently under way to evaluate the long-term impact of the The Calling on viewers. This has included mailed surveys, follow-up interviews and classroom group discussions. We are also collaborating with Counseling Services, Inc. on outcome research evaluating the impact of holistic and adjunct therapies on the recovery of trauma and abuse survivors.

Dissemination of Findings

    Paper Presentations:
A Play on Trauma, Survival, and Social Work: Evaluating the Educational Impact, Clay T. Graybeal, Ph.D., and Pamela Arnsberger, Ph.D., at the Connecting Trauma, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health Conference, Augusta, Maine, November 30, 2001
     
    A Play on Trauma, Survival, and Social Work: Evaluating the Educational Impact, Clay T. Graybeal, Ph.D., and Pamela Arnsberger, Ph.D., Annual Program Meeting, Council on Social Work Education, Nashville, TN, Feb 28, 2002
     
    Conference screenings of the videotape of The Calling:
Transforming Social Work Practice and Inquiry, University of Vermont, October, 2000
Annual Conference of the Society for Spirituality and Social Work, Washington, D.C., 2001.
     
    Connecting Trauma, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health Conference, Augusta, Maine, November 30, 2001
     
    Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, in Nashville, TN, in February 28, 2002.

Future Development
cast2The next major challenge for the CAST will be to secure funding for future development. Current income sources include sales of the videotape of The Calling to educational programs and community organizations and practitioners. Future income possibilities include fundraising concerts, contracts with agencies for training and education, and program grants.

For further information:

Clay T. Graybeal, Ph.D.
CASTCoordinator
University of New England School of Social Work
716 Stevens Ave.
Portland, ME 04103-2670
(207) 221-4509
Email: cgraybeal@une.edu    
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