Creative Arts, Play and Mental Wellbeing unit (FXA303)

Online

Introduction

Participation in the creative arts has been shown to afford a wide range of benefits to mental health and wellbeing for young and old. This unit explores ways in which the creative arts and play can be used therapeutically to support and enhance mental wellbeing for children, adolescents and younger people. It explores particular challenges associated with life events, neurodiversity, or for those who are from minority or marginalised groups. A framework derived from principles of trauma-informed practice is used to inform critical evaluation of complex issues, and to consider appropriate and effective design of creative arts and play-based activities in a variety of scenarios. You will have opportunities to explore your own creativity and gain practical insight into different roles in the therapeutic arts, and to explore your own interests by conducting individual research that will deepen your understanding of the potential of creative arts and play for supporting aspects of the mental wellbeing of a specific cohort.

Summary

Unit name	Creative Arts, Play and Mental Wellbeing
Unit code	FXA303
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Creative and Performing Arts
Discipline	Arts
Coordinator	Associate Professor Anne-Marie Forbes
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse and reflect critically on forms of creative work and play and effects on mental wellbeing and self-management of emotions
• Synthesise interdisciplinary knowledge, research skills and cultural awareness, and principles of trauma-informed care to evaluate arts programmes intended to enhance mental wellbeing.
• Analyse complex societal scenarios and identify problems, proposing creative arts-based solutions supporting mental wellbeing
• Communicate effectively to general and specialist audiences demonstrating creativity and interdisciplinary understandings of the effects of participatory creative arts and play on mental health and wellbeing.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
109999	$1,192.00	$1,020.00	not applicable	$2,972.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Online learning materials with  Zoom webinars, tutorials and discussion boards (4hrs weekly) with additional self-directed learning
Assessment	Online Quiz 1 (5%)|Online quiz 2 (5%)|Peer Learning and Discussion (10%)|Puppet as Research Response (35%)|Essay (45%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.