Never too old to dance
Age shouldn’t be a barrier to dancing or performing, says Vicky Thornton. She shares the story of DANCE SIX-0, a contemporar…
Posts
Sourcing the solid evidence
Looking to measure the impact of their work in hospitals, Air Arts found that pre-existing evaluation methods didn’t work. L…
Museum’s dementia care training to be rolled out across the UK
A pilot programme by National Museums Liverpool has successfully used drama to train health care professionals to support people t…
How to… run wellbeing-boosting arts projects
Running a successful arts workshop is not easy, but remembering to be pragmatic and as collaborative as possible is key, says Nick…
Making its mark
At Sussex Recovery College, arts-based courses are boosting students’ creativity and self-esteem. Kate Davey reports on this…
Parliamentary inquiry seeks arts in health examples
A cross-party group is gathering evidence of the arts improving people’s health and wellbeing for a new study.
Models of practice in arts and commissioning
From arts on prescription to recovery colleges, there are a range of ways for arts organisations to engage with public service com…
Creative arts re-engage prisoners in education, report claims
Arts projects and performances are hugely popular among prisoners, staff and governors, and should be used to motivate wider learn…
Guide offers blueprint for dementia friendly performances
Two years after hosting its first dementia friendly performance, West Yorkshire Playhouse has released a best-practice guide to pu…
If I were 22: Katherine Brown
Spend some time chilling out in a supermarket car park, arts and health project manager Katherine Brown tells herself at 22.
Effective outcomes for people and communities
The benefits of commissioners working with the arts sector have been highlighted by pilot schemes in Kent and Gloucestershire. Jes…
Report calls for changes to cultural commissioning
Pilot projects in Kent and Gloucestershire have revealed procurement approaches are leaving arts and cultural organisations at a d…
Still invited to the party
How can you attend a festival if you can’t leave your house? Michael Eades describes a project bringing the festival experie…
Art and the whole person
Addiction isn’t easy to treat, but could a whole person approach that uses the arts help? Emma Drew makes the case.
The power of performance
Dance offers older people many physical and social benefits, but performing to an audience makes the greatest impact on wellbeing,…
Life-saving courses
Jane Rich reveals how Cambridge Community Arts creates unexpected joy through its creative courses that leave mental health at the…
The reins back in my hands
Struck down with depression, international singer and songwriter Rhoda Dakar reveals how volunteering on a music project helped he…
Making a difference
In Birmingham, craft projects are not only helping young people learn new skills but giving their self-confidence and resilience a…
A joyful union?
The arts and health may have been officially coupled with the launch of a new evaluation framework, but will they ever be comforta…
Developing a narrative for people, communities and place
How can arts organisations present their offer more effectively to public service commissioners? Five pilot consortia have been wo…
New guidelines for evaluating arts-based health interventions
A framework giving guidance on how to assess arts projects and programmes aimed at boosting health and wellbeing has been publishe…
The arts in green spaces
Spending time in the great outdoors is proven to boost wellbeing, but how can the arts encourage people to do it? Nicky Goulder de…
Boost for arts in health as MPs commit to cause
A two-year inquiry will result in the publication of policy proposals, with the hope of seeing the arts become more valued as cont…
A magical approach to healthcare
Could paintbrushes, violins and even magic wands soon be crucial tools for medical professionals? Yvonne Farquharson hopes so.
