Navigating this library

Everyone will have a slightly different definition of what being cared for looks like or feels like, so in offering care, what can often be most helpful is simply to ask people what 'care' looks like or feels like to them, at that particular point in time, as people's care needs might change depending on what's happening in the world and/or in their own lives.

As such, many of the resources in this library are about us offering things to consider as you are having these conversations around care needs and desires, and are intended to be suggestive starting points rather than a prescriptive 'you must do all of these things to be considered as 'caring''.

If you are working in less-than-ideal conditions, it is not inherently problematic to compromise on the extent to which you can care for yourself and/or others. However, we do think that even with little to no resources, there are always small steps that can be taken to care better for each other, and we hope that this resource does offer some useful tips and ideas that you can draw on as a small first step (:

At the same time, it's been important to us that we highlight some good/better care practices in this resource, so that right from the beginning we can have higher expectations of ourselves and each other - if we can build in care practices from the very initial phases of a project, we believe that it doesn't actually take that much more effort or additional resources to continue caring for each other as the project unfolds. In fact, having a culture of care within a project can support the team to create stronger and more meaningful work, as feeling safe can allow the team to go deeper into explorations.

As we mentioned, there is a lot of content in this library, so please do take your time to browse through - this library is 'open' 24/7, so don't feel like you have to read through the entire library (or even any one section!) in a single sitting, you can just skim through or skip reading anything that feels less resonant or relevant for you (:

We'd also suggest that you make yourself comfortable before you start reading - make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, settle down somewhere soft, maybe invite a friend to join you in the space and/or to visit the library at the same time etc.

And, as you are reading, do take a break or step away as you need to! We have also created a virtual decompression space that you can visit, and you will find the link to it on the website footer at the bottom of every page. (Note: You don't need to sign up, just click 'continue without an account'!)

Finally, if you have any questions or concerns as you go through the library, you can always reach out to the team at care.intimacy@gmail.com to share more.

Definitions and Examples

• You will also find in this section some links and resources for further reading.

Reflective Questions

• These are offered as starting points for self-reflection and discussion, not as prescriptive or definitive assessments in any sense, as earlier mentioned.

Warmup exercises

• These are hopefully some easy ways in which you can immediately start practicing the concept!

Diving in

• We suggest some ideas from two perspectives as to how you can apply these concepts as an arts worker, which are again not intended to be prescriptive or 'the only way' -

  • the first perspective is for yourself e.g. as someone who is entering a project; and

  • the second perspective is for working with others e.g. as a producer/director/choreographer, or just anyone who is initiating a project or setting up the conditions of a project.

Other notes