Art Work as an Inclusive Space: Caring Relationships at a Day Activity Centre with an Artistic Profile

Drawing on an interdisciplinary research arts project in collaboration with a day activity centre (DAC) with an artistic profile, we explore the dynamic of caring relationships, that is, the interaction between the staff and the participants, within welfare settings aimed at people with disabilities. Our research takes its point of departure in critical disability studies (CDS). The power dynamic of caring relationships is often imbued with paternalistic notions positioning the service user as the ‘vulnerable disabled Other’ and the carer as the ‘invulnerable expert practitioner’. Together with this DAC, we set up a research arts project about dreams and carried out ethnographic fieldwork. The analysis reveals how the art work offers an inclusive space where the predefined roles of staff/‘expert’ and participant/‘care recipient’ somewhat cease to control the interaction between them. These caring relationships are characterised by reciprocity, collaboration and a respect for differences, enabling agency and voice for the participants.