The Art of Being Healthy & Well: National Symposium on the role of creativity and arts in health and wellbeing

Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, has announced a national symposium on creativity, health and wellbeing co-hosted by the Creative Ireland Programme, the Department of Health (Healthy Ireland), the Health Service Executive and the Arts Council.

The Art of Being Healthy & Well is taking place on 22 June and will provide a forum for policymakers and practitioners from the health, arts and culture sectors to consider how best to harness the powerful contribution creative engagement can make to our health and wellbeing.

The symposium will:

• consider the evidence base regarding the health benefits from the creative arts
• discuss arts and health activities in hospitals that can help deliver better health outcomes for patients and their carers
• explore the operational role of the arts, cultural and creative sectors in delivering healthcare and wellbeing in the community.

‘The benefits that arts, culture and creative engagement bring to people’s mental wellbeing are increasingly being recognised in research. Indeed, this understanding was brought into very sharp focus during Covid-19 and the periods of social isolation we experienced as a result. I am, therefore, committed to collaborating with colleagues across Government to bring forward targeted, evidence-based initiatives that deliver benefits to health and wellbeing through arts, culture and creativity in a sustainable manner.’ – Minister Catherine Martin

Hosted by journalist and current affairs presenter, Olivia O’Leary, panellists include:

• Tania Banotti, Director, Creative Ireland Programme
• Alexandra Coulter, Director, National Centre for Creative Health UK
• Professor Colette Cowan, Chief Executive Officer, UL Hospitals Group, HSE
• Justine Foster, Programme Manager, Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre
• Tom James, Head of the Health and Wellbeing Programme and Healthy Ireland in the Department of Health
• Maureen Kennelly, Director, Arts Council
• Professor Rose Anne Kenny MD, Chair of Medical Gerontology, Trinity College Dublin and Director, MISA, St James’s Hospital
• Dr Trudy Meehan, Lecturer, Centre for Positive Psychology and Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Dr Michael O’Connor, National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead for Acute Operations, HSE
• Yvonne O’Neill, National Director of Community Operations, HSE
• Nathalie Weadick, Director, Irish Architecture Foundation

Further information on the symposium schedule and speakers:
https://hopin.com/events/the-art-of-being-healthy-and-well-virtual