Where does it happen?
Arts and Health takes place across the spectrum of physical and mental healthcare. The range of healthcare settings includes but is not limited to hospitals, residential units, day care centres, primary care centres, hospices and community health settings.
Who is it for?
Arts and Health can engage health service users of all ages and abilities, their carers, visitors, healthcare staff and local communities.
Artforms
Arts and Health is not limited to any artform. It can include visual art, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus, spectacle and architecture. It can involve a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together different artforms.
Approaches
Arts and Health incorporates different approaches:
- Arts participation: an artist collaborates with individuals or groups within a health or social care setting in the creation of work e.g. artist residencies, participatory music sessions, one-to-one artmaking by the bedside etc.
- Environmental enhancement e.g. exhibitions, public art commissions
- Receptive arts engagement e.g. performances, concerts, screenings
Initiatives can range from once-off events to long-term programmes.