Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020
1109. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has considered funding of an industry assistance programme to cater for the mental health and well-being of event and arts workers during the Covid-19 crisis. [11445/20]
View answerThe Arts Council is the main Irish Government agency for developing the arts. The Arts Council offers a wide range of financial supports across artforms and arts practices, including arts and health.
Arts and health embraces a range of arts practices occurring primarily in healthcare settings, which bring together the skills and priorities of both arts and health professionals. From an Arts Council perspective, good arts and health practice is characterised by a clear artistic vision, goals and outcomes. It aims to promote health and wellbeing by improving quality of life and cultural access in healthcare settings. Arts and health can involve all artforms, and incorporate a variety of approaches, including conventional arts production and presentation, arts participation and environmental enhancement. Further details of the Arts Council’s programmes can be accessed at this link: www.artscouncil.ie/Arts-in-Ireland/Arts-participation/Arts-and-health/.
The national arts and health website www.artsandhealth includes resource documents, case studies, a directory of contacts, perspectives on a range of issues and current news. The website is funded by the Arts Council as an important element of its Arts and Health Policy.
Helium Arts have developed a new Creative Health Hub model with support from Creative Ireland. This aims to will bring their innovative, multidisciplinary creative projects to more children and teenagers across Ireland. Further details can be accessed at this link. www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/partners/helium-arts-creative-health-hub/.
