ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the time is ripe for the profession to broaden its lens of practice, research, and teaching and to (re)connect with the arts. It focuses on a case study on the impact of disabled children and young people participating in inclusive music classes in Scotland. Participation in inclusive arts is developing self-confidence, intersectional identities, and agency. The chapter discusses concept of the art of social work and explores intentional space for social workers to learn from artists' use of creativity. It highlights the impact of participation in inclusive arts, argues that social work needs to support access to the arts for marginalised groups as a conduit for working to transform lives and achieve social change. The arts have the potential to expand the social work imagination, to co-creatively transform the lives of disabled people and other marginalised groups. The chapter focuses on research with an inclusive arts organisation, Paragon, based in Glasgow, Scotland.
