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Description
RestART aims to empower victims of domestic violence through art. Women, victims of domestic violence in Cyprus, will participate in a series of interactive workshops during which they will be guided by art mentors, to explore the dimension of self- empowerment through arts and storytelling with the intent of transforming their personal narratives from victims of violence into advocates empowered for their own positive futures.
Engaged in structured art activities led by local artists, the women will be inspired toward an understanding of personal and societal forces contributing to their relationships with the world and will articulate these insights through arts raising awareness and encouraging dialogue to inspire positive social change.
At the same time the project will engage with civil society capacity building through various activities including a good practices seminar indented to train both art mentors directly involved in the project as well as civil society organizations’ staff and volunteers working with vulnerable groups. Thus, the project has a strong focus on the empowerment of vulnerable groups and capacity building of civil society in Cyprus.
Summary of project results
The RestART project aimed to address the empowerment of victims of domestic violence through the use of art. The project sought to provide a safe and supportive environment for these individuals to express themselves creatively, thereby reclaiming their voices and transforming their personal narratives. Additionally, the project aimed to build the capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to utilize art as a tool for empowerment and to raise awareness about domestic violence.
The RestART project implemented a series of activities to achieve its objectives. It organized interactive workshops in creative writing, ceramics, and visual arts for women victims of domestic violence, guided by local art mentors. These workshops aimed to explore self-empowerment through artistic expression. The project also produced an art book titled "restART by Survivors," showcasing the works created during the workshops. Additionally, an art exhibition was held to display these works. The project included a seminar on good practices for using art to empower vulnerable groups, which was attended by CSO representatives and other stakeholders. Furthermore, the project published a practical guide titled "Arts & Creativity for Empowerment," providing methodologies and exercises for using art to empower victims of domestic violence.
The RestART project achieved significant results in empowering victims of domestic violence and enhancing the capacity of CSOs. The project directly engaged 49 women victims of domestic violence through its workshops, helping them to express their experiences and reclaim their voices. The art book and exhibition provided a platform for these women to share their stories with a broader audience, raising awareness about domestic violence. The seminar and practical guide equipped CSOs with new methods and approaches for using art to empower vulnerable groups. The project also reached a wider audience through its dissemination activities, including social media campaigns and media coverage, thereby increasing public awareness and engagement on the issue of domestic violence.