In 2017 the Scottish Government proposed a ten-year-long strategy to establish a
parity between mental and physical health. During this time, the Covid-19 pandemic
in 2020 highlighted an exacerbating impact on mental health and increased need for
improved support for mental health and wellbeing that is remotely accessible in order
to care for people living in social isolation.

Following a call for multi-disciplinary working towards innovating frameworks for care,
this research study argues that creative practices can be a valuable resource in
addition to the medical sciences. Using curatorial practice as a method of inquiry,
beyond the formal realm of the exhibition, remote Participatory Action Research
engagements were created online and explored with a curated team of professional
practitioners from arts, research and third sector organisations who concentrate on
recovery-focused support for mental health. Rich insights emerged within these
collaborative engagements by asking the question:

How can curatorial practice enhance multi-disciplinary approaches to designing
alternative forms of gallery and community-based support for mental health and
wellbeing through remote engagement?

Additionally, this research study explored the qualities and sustainability of remote
engagement and understanding how to support multi-disciplinary working for
improved exchange of knowledge, practices and resources across mental healthcare
and cultural institutes who adopt curatorial practices.

The findings of this research offer a set of recommendations that suggest how further
frameworks can be enhanced for the development of communities of practice for
multi-disciplinary approaches and opportunities towards creating remote support for
mental health and wellbeing.

A print copy of this thesis is available in the GSA Library.