Healing Arts Conferences
Edinburgh, Monday 19 & Tuesday 20 August
Image: Martin Creed. Work No. 3435 EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT. 2020 © Martin Creed. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2023. Photo: Sim Canetty-Clarke
The Healing Arts Scotland conferences took place in the National Gallery and the Edinburgh International Festival Hub on 19 and 20 August 2024.
Speakers included Dr Jill Sonke (One Nation/One Project), Sangeeta Isvaran (founder of Katradi NGO) and UK and international innovators in arts-in-health interventions. There were also four specially curated panels as part of the Festival of Politics at Scottish Parliament.
Sessions focussed on Healing Arts Scotland’s key themes of loneliness and isolation, dementia, young peoples’ mental health, social prescribing and arts in confined spaces.
Each programme brought together senior policymakers, health practitioners and researchers to discuss the wide-ranging health benefits of the arts on society and its implementation in formal spheres (hospitals) and within communities. By fostering a positive dialogue around the role of the arts in wellbeing, we hope the outcomes of the conference lead to the inclusion and the championing of the arts in NHS Scotland, and other community driven initiatives.
National Galleries of Scotland
Monday 19 August – Edinburgh
An overview of the growing field of arts and health.
The conference featured presentations and panel discussions with leading international and Scottish experts, including:
- Christopher Bailey – Arts and Health Lead at the World Health Organization and founding co-founder of the Jameel Arts and Health Lab.
- Dr Jill Sonke – Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida.
- Nils Fietje and Calum Smith – Behavioural and Cultural Insights Unit at the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
- Dr Daisy Fancourt – Professor of Psychobiology & Epidemiology at University College London.
This conference could be viewed online via digital stream.
The Hub (Day 1)
Monday 19 August – Edinburgh
Day 1 explored the themes of loneliness and isolation, key skills needed by artists working in the arts and health space, and practical sessions. There were contributions from world-renowned arts and health practitioners:
- Sangeeta Isvaran – dancer-performer and founder of the Wind Dancers Trust. Working in marginalised, underprivileged communities from over 30 countries towards education, empowerment and conflict resolution.
- Kunle Adewale – Nigerian artist, Founder and Executive Director of the Arts in Medicine Projects and the Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship, and arts in health practitioner
- Magdalena Schamberger – theatre director, who collaborates with people living with dementia to create accessible performances in theatres, care homes, and other settings.
- David Leventhal – founder of Dance for Parkinson’s Mark Morris Dance Company.
The Hub (Day 2)
Tuesday 20 August – Edinburgh
Day 2 explored the themes of trauma, young people, and mental health. There were sessions from world-renowned arts and health practitioners:
- Moira Pirsch – Education Director at Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Leading community initiatives using the arts to empower indigenous communities.
- Magdalena Schamberger – theatre director, who collaborates with people living with dementia to create accessible performances in theatres, care homes, and other settings.
- Sangeeta Isvaran – dancer-performer and founder of the Wind Dancers Trust. Working in marginalised, underprivileged communities from over 30 countries towards education, empowerment and conflict resolution.
- Fiona O’Sullivan – Director of Children’s Wellbeing for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.
