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Case Study
Compassionate Culture Networks Across Munster
Irish Hospice Foundation have been developing a Compassionate Culture Network across Ireland since 2021. These are spaces facilitated by artists for people to gently explore loss and how compassion connects through a variety of creative practices. Initially supported by Creative Ireland, additional support from Rethink Ireland’s Impact Fund for Munster enabled expansion across Munster in 2023.
Perspective
Finding my ‘guth’: The Lump vs the Irish Language
Irish surgeon Dr Denis Burkitt discovered Burkitt's lymphoma. Belfast filmmaker Éanna Mac Cana was treated for this cancer when he was 19 years old. His documentary feature, Burkitt, combines his personal experiences as an inpatient with an exploration of the life and work of Dr Burkitt. Éanna discusses how he began re-learning the Irish language while making Burkitt and how finding his ‘guth’ (voice) created an environment for healing.
Case Study
A Dive in Line – Art & Parkinson’s Disease
A Dive in Line showcases a yearlong exploratory project between six individuals experiencing Parkinson’s disease / Parkinsonism, healthcare staff in Dunmanway Community Hospital and Day Care Centre, and participatory artist / speech & language therapist Áine Rose Connell. The project formed part of the Arts for Health Partnership Programme West Cork.
Resources
Research
What does an arts & health organisation do?
To understand what is driving the current momentum in arts and health, and how organisations and practitioners are operating in creating and/or benefitting from that momentum, this report gathers insights from people working in some of the world’s most innovative arts and health organisations. One of the organisations featured is Réalta, Ireland's national resource organisation for arts and health.
Research
Sites of Significance
Sites of Significance is a research report exploring pathways to engagement and work in dance experienced by dance artists and facilitators who live and / or work within territorial border areas of Cavan and Fermanagh-Omagh Council areas. One of the report recommendations is for greater recognition and resourcing by local authorities of local dance facilitators for their contribution to social and health-based outcomes.
Good Practice
Performing Anxiety
Performing Anxiety is a good practice resource for anyone who wants to make live artistic work about mental health, from autobiographical shows about anxiety and depression to participatory projects working with vulnerable people. Performing Anxiety was created by the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and the Mental Health Foundation, with funding from the Baring Foundation.