Madness in Music

Program Details

Madness in Music: A Cultural and Historical Exploration Madness has long been a source of fascination, controversy, and activism. This course challenges mainstream views of mental illness, exploring how culture and music express madness and serve as tools for healing. Through history and music, we’ll examine psychiatric patient activism and the ways artists—from Nina Simone to Iggy Pop—have used music for protest, resistance, and self-expression. Topics include the history of mad activism, the social model of disability, music as disruption, operatic madness, and the rise of disability arts. Join us to rethink the connections between madness, creativity, and resistance—and discover how music shapes our understanding of mental health. FEE: This program is free for patrons. SCHEDULE: Six Thursdays, April 10 to May 15 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM FORMAT: This is an online program. A link will be emailed at the time of registration and again one day before the presentation. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Donna Linklater is a musician, educator, and advocate with a deep commitment to exploring the intersections of music and mental health. With a Bachelor of Music in voice from Brandon University, she has performed, written, and recorded in Toronto’s indie music scene while also teaching early childhood music. Her work as a group facilitator for the Canadian Mental Health Association allowed her to integrate music with self-care strategies for adults with lived experience in the mental healthcare system. Having completed a BA in Disability Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University, Donna brings both academic insight and lived experience to her teaching. Now back in her hometown of Winnipeg, she is passionate about examining how music serves as a tool for expression, protest, and healing.