Art Meets Mental Health

This was the starting point for the collaboration between COX Coaching & Consulting and the Salzburg Institute for Arts in Medicine (SIAM) in spring 2026. SIAM pro bono in its organisational and strategic development, driven by our conviction that mental health is an important cause to which we want to make a meaningful contribution.

After years of intensive groundwork and development, the time had come to consciously shape SIAM’s future together and take the next step in its evolution. Three key questions guided the process: What do we stand for? Where do we want to go? And how can we further strengthen our impact on society?

The process was deliberately designed to be participatory and collaborative. Smaller, focused groups prepared strategic decisions, while larger workshop formats provided space for involvement, different perspectives and active contributions. This approach combined speed and clarity with the meaningful engagement of those who would ultimately support and implement the strategy.

COX contributed an external perspective and strategic expertise, asking targeted questions about challenges and opportunities, roles and responsibilities, funders’ expectations, positioning within the Arts & Health field, and internal collaboration. This outside perspective was particularly valuable in revealing blind spots and opening up new ways of thinking and acting.

A SWOT analysis and stakeholder analysis, with particular attention to funders and partners from the healthcare, social services and cultural sectors, helped establish a clearer picture of the current situation. Strengths became more visible, structural risks were identified, and external expectations were made transparent. Comparing the current state with the desired future state highlighted clear areas for development.

Through a series of creative, dialogue-driven workshops, a shared vision of the future gradually emerged: a vision serving as a guiding North Star, values providing the foundation for organisational culture, collaboration and leadership, a prioritised strategy, and concrete strategic initiatives.

The process was carried out in close collaboration with SIAM’s director, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Leonhard Thun-Hohenstein, and the entire board. The result: SIAM emerges from this process with greater clarity, strength and strategic focus. With a shared language, a common North Star and a strategy that provides direction, the organisation now has a solid foundation for bringing an exceptional idea to society with even greater impact.

Salzburg Institute for Arts in Medicine (SIAM)

SIAM (Salzburg Institute for Arts in Medicine) is a subsidiary organisation of the association Freunde der Kinder und Jugendpsychiatrie (Friends of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry), developing artistic programmes for people experiencing mental health challenges or at risk of developing mental health conditions.

Its work is based on the belief that actively engaging in artistic activities such as painting, drawing, music, dance and writing enables self-expression, helps release tension and opens up new channels of communication.

SIAM works with professional artists, offering programmes that are purely artistic in nature while being accompanied by scientific research. This creates safe spaces where participants can experience self-efficacy, broaden their perspectives, build resilience and find emotional relief.

For more information on how to support the association or participate in SIAM’s programmes, please visit: www.vereinderfreunde-kjp.org

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the SIAM team directly: office@vereinderfreunde-kjp.org