Art for refugees is sometimes described as a way to heal, but that framing can be too narrow. For many people who have had to leave their homes, creative activity is also a way to connect, to use existing skills, to be seen as more than a label and to feel at home in a new place, even for an hour.
This article explores why creative expression can matter after displacement, and how to approach it with care. It is written for artists, volunteers and organisations. It does not offer clinical advice; where people have experienced trauma, qualified professionals such as registered art therapists and mental health services have an essential role.
Expression beyond language
Arriving in a new country often means navigating unfamiliar languages, systems and expectations. In that situation, drawing, music, textiles, photography and craft can communicate without requiring fluent speech. A shared activity can offer a way to take part before the vocabulary arrives.
Art can also make space for experiences that people may not wish, or feel ready, to explain. It is important not to push. A good facilitator makes it clear that nobody has to tell their story, and that creating a pattern, a landscape or an abstract piece is as valid as work that refers to journeys or loss.
Connection and community
Many practitioners find that group creative sessions help people meet others who share similar circumstances, and also people from the wider community. Working side by side offers a gentle form of contact: you can talk, or you can concentrate on your hands.
Creative projects can also connect people across cultures. Skills and traditions brought from elsewhere, such as embroidery techniques, calligraphy, cooking, music or storytelling, can be shared and appreciated. This turns the usual dynamic around, so that newcomers are teachers as well as learners.
Skills, livelihoods and pride
Many people who have been displaced already have professional or artistic skills. Opportunities to use them can support confidence and a sense of identity. Some people may wish to explore selling work, teaching, exhibiting or building a portfolio, while others simply want an enjoyable activity. Both are legitimate.
Where selling or paid work is involved, fairness matters. Check that people understand the terms, that they receive the money they are due, and that any rules about work or income that apply to their situation are respected. Organisations should seek appropriate advice rather than guessing.
Running sessions respectfully
Respect begins with preparation. Ask the people you hope to work with what they would like, rather than arriving with a fixed plan. Use interpreters or translated materials where needed, think about childcare, travel costs and prayer or meal times, and be realistic about the unpredictability of people’s circumstances, such as appointments and relocation.
Take a trauma-aware approach. Avoid prompts that ask people to recreate distressing events, keep the pace flexible, and make it easy to step out without explanation. Be clear about confidentiality and consent, particularly regarding photographs and sharing work online, as publicity can carry risks for people with uncertain legal status or family still in danger.
- Offer choices of materials and topics, including the option to make something purely for pleasure.
- Ask for consent separately for taking part, for photos and for sharing work.
- Know where to signpost someone who needs professional or legal support.
- Avoid describing participants by their hardship; use their names, skills and interests.
How to support refugee-led art
The most respectful support often means stepping back. Refugee-led groups, artists and collectives already exist in many places. Rather than starting something parallel, consider offering space, equipment, funding, introductions or transport, and let those groups decide how to use it.
Pay people for their expertise, credit their work properly and invite them into decision-making roles. Avoid presenting yourself or your organisation as the rescuer in the story. The aim is shared power, not gratitude.
Frequently asked questions
Is art therapy the same as an art group for refugees?
No. Art therapy is delivered by a qualified and registered therapist. An art group is a creative or social activity. Both can help, but they have different aims, and anyone needing mental health support should be pointed to appropriate professionals.
Should participants be asked to share their personal stories?
Not unless they choose to. Making sharing optional protects dignity and avoids re-traumatisation. Many people prefer to create work about other subjects, and that is just as meaningful.
How can organisations avoid a saviour approach?
Listen first, share decisions, pay for expertise, credit people’s work and support existing refugee-led initiatives rather than speaking on behalf of the community.
Creative expression can offer people a voice, a community and a sense of purpose after displacement. It works best when it is offered as an invitation, not an obligation, and when people are treated as artists, neighbours and experts in their own lives.
If you are planning sessions, start with listening and be honest about your limits. Explore more related reading in our social impact section.
