The Role of "Art-Oriented Projects" in the Emotional Recovery of Victims of Natural Disasters (Psychological Analysis of Art-oriented Projects after Wildfire in Australia)

Occurrence of natural disasters is associated with negative psychological consequences for survivors which requires basic interventions in order to accelerate the process of their psychological recovery. Utilizing the capabilities of art plays an effective role in reducing the psychological damage to society. However, the subject of “art therapy” has been around for hundreds of years under titles such as “Catharsis” or “psychological refinement”, and its present form, first introduced by “Sigmund Freud” and has grown rapidly over the past 30 years, but “art-oriented projects” is a new concept that has been experienced in the past two decades in the definition of projects based on "artistic leadership" and taking into account local culture, in order to create a positive and creative interaction in affected communities in the face of crisis. Contrary to the traditional approach, which is limited to the use of art in reducing post-traumatic events, it emphasizes the use of multiple capacities of art at different stages “before”, “during” and “after” a crisis. In recent years, Australia has been successful and consistent in implementing art-oriented projects in the face of natural disasters and has achieved significant results. This descriptive-analytical research has been done by studying these projects with the aim of gaining new insights in the use of art in reducing the psychological damage of natural disasters. Based on the results of this study, systematic attention to the role of art in all stages and at different levels of crisis management in the country and the use of different artistic mediums in proportion to the crisis, while considering age and gender differences, plays a significant role in reducing the psychological damage of natural disasters and the emotional recovery of survivors.