News
A new alliance of cultural organisations from across England was launched on 13 March 2018 to develop and promote the role of arts and culture in supporting health and wellbeing.
For many years, organisations around the country have been working in hospitals and care homes, in museums and galleries and community spaces creating cultural opportunities for people living with physical and mental ill health. Now, for the first time, these organisations are coming together to provide a shared and collective voice for this work. The Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance brings together the National Alliance for Arts, Health and Wellbeing with the National Alliance for Museums, Health and Wellbeing and involves 50 leading organisations.
The Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance is a free membership organisation and will provide monthly updates on policy and developments in the field, access to resources and research, as well as delivering training, conferences and events. It will advocate for the importance of cultural engagement for the health and wellbeing of everyone in society. It will work closely with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing to bring about a step change in policy and delivery, and will focus on a strong regional infrastructure to support development and progress in the field. The Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance is an Arts Council Sector Support Organisation, joining the National Portfolio of Organisations.
This is a rapidly expanding field with many museums and cultural organisations now developing programmes designed to support health and wellbeing. The new Alliance will encourage good practice, connecting healthcare providers, commissioners and clinicians with cultural organisations to deliver the best possible opportunities for everyone to benefit from the health and wellbeing impact of high quality cultural experiences.
The Steering Group is made up of regional representation: Arts Derbyshire, Arts & Health South West, Arts & Minds, Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, Birmingham Museums Trust, British Museum, Creative Health CIC, Equal Arts, London Arts in Health Forum, Manchester Metropolitan University, Mansfield Museum, Ministry of Others, National Museums Liverpool, Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Thackray Medical Museum, Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums, University College London, University of Cambridge Museums.