Britten Pears Arts and The Royal Society of Musicians, with specialist input from the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), have launched the Creative Practice Renewal Programme. The five-day funded residential retreat is aimed at music professionals whose ability to work has been affected by physical or mental ill health.
Taking place at Snape Maltings in Suffolk from 1 to 6 October, the programme is open to performers, administrators, technicians and teachers who are struggling to sustain their practice, or at risk of leaving the profession. Participants must have worked professionally in music for a minimum of three years and be of British nationality or UK residency for the same period.
The retreat combines creative sessions, peer support, coaching from specialist performing arts practitioners and restorative practices including guided rest and time in nature. BAPAM clinicians will provide assessments and personalised action planning where appropriate. Participants live and cook together throughout the retreat, with community building a core element of the programme. Two follow-up online coaching sessions, an online group session and a two-day reconnection gathering later in the year are included.
Angie Lee-Foster, Programme Manager at Britten Pears Arts, said: “The health, wellbeing and sustainability of our music workforce is a primary concern of ours. Through this partnership with The Royal Society of Musicians, we’ll build on our programme of musician retreats and evolve and expand our model to better support those at risk of leaving the profession due to physical or mental ill health, supported by our colleagues at BAPAM.”
Places are fully funded and limited to a small cohort. Applications close on 31 May, with shortlisted applicants notified by the end of June and online interviews held during July and August.
For further information and to apply, visit brittenpearsarts.org
