Mental Health and Arts programme

5 September 2024

This Mental Health and Arts programme has been devised as a partnership between the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Baring Foundation. It is a three year programme and its initial objective is to engage with individual artists in looking at their own mental health and listening to what they say they need to assist them in their practice.

There are 8 training workshops programmed for September 2024 and the details are below. This will provide artists the opportunity to engage with the proposed agenda and feedback on what they find useful or not and what else they think these workshops should include.

Self-care for artists is an important component in maintaining creativity and mental well-being. In an increasingly difficult and demanding sector, artists who pour their heart and soul into their work can be both rewarded and exhausted. Incorporating self-care practices into daily routines can help sustain passion and prevent burnout. Self-care is not a luxury but a necessity as it helps artists to continue to thrive and create meaningful and fulfilling work.

This workshop has been co-designed with Inspire, a leading mental health and wellbeing charity, and local artists factoring in the diversity of working practices. The insight and advice gained from the artists has helped to shape and guide the session material.

In the workshop we will explore the common barriers to self-care, such as: financial challenges; time constraints; boundary setting; and physical and emotional demands. We will also discuss achievable and practical ways to overcome these challenges.

By the end of the workshop, you will have a toolkit of self-care practices. These practices will help you to build resilience and maintain your wellbeing in the face of the highs and lows of being a creative professional.

Locations & Dates:

Belfast – Arts Care Offices @ Connswater Shopping Centre

· Thurs 12th Sept, 10am – 12pm

· Wed 18th Sept, 2pm – 4pm

Online – Zoom

· Wed 11th Sept, 7pm – 9pm

· Thurs 12th Sept, 7pm – 9pm

Derry – Verbal Arts Centre

· Tue 10th Sept, 10am – 12pm

· Thurs 19th Sept, 1:30 – 3:30pm

Omagh – Strule Arts Centre

· Mon 23rd Sept, 10am – 12pm

· Mon 23rd Sept , 1:30pm – 3:30pm

If you wish to attend any of the above workshops email Lorraine Calderwood lcalderwood@artscouncil-ni,org with your name, contact details and artform.