Are you a practitioner in the field of art & well-being looking for new perspectives? Are you thinking about artistic practices in health and well-being from an entrepreneurial point of view?
Join us on April 11, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM (EET) for the first online panel of the European project AWAKE – Arts & Wellbeing: Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Artists and Cultural Workers.
Participation is free, based on registration.
Across Europe, the intersection between art and well-being is gaining momentum. Artists are increasingly interested in applying their creative expertise in the health and well-being sectors, while healthcare organizations are embracing collaborations with artists to improve patient outcomes. However, it is clear that art-based well-being initiatives often remain short-term, project-based efforts, driven primarily by the enthusiasm of those involved. The sustainability of these initiatives is under debate, as long-term support from stable funding sources remains rare. In this new and financially fragile context, sharing knowledge and learning from international professionals is essential for developing new ideas on the sustainability and impact of artistic practices for health and well-being.
Main Topics of the April 11 Panel:
Practical experiences of artistic initiatives for well-being
Skills and support needed to make artistic well-being practices sustainable
Access points for artists and cultural workers into the health sector: expectations vs. reality
Target Audience:
Artists and cultural practitioners looking for new ideas and perspectives to develop well-being initiatives
Aspiring entrepreneurs interested in creating art-based initiatives for health and well-being
The event presents the perspectives of professionals from both the cultural and health sectors, offering an opportunity to enrich knowledge and experience:
Kornelia Kiss is the Director of the Research and Development Department at Culture Action Europe. As co-author of the report “CultureForHealth. The contribution of culture to health and well-being. A report on evidence and policy recommendations for Europe”, she advocates for policy change across Europe in this area where art and well-being intersect.
Angelica Postu works as a music therapist at Charité University Hospital in Berlin and is a doctoral student at the Berlin University of the Arts, where her research focuses on the development and implementation of music therapy in Romania. Angelica combines psychology with music therapy and is known as a trainer and speaker in the fields of personal development, emotional awareness, and emotion management through music. She is actively involved in promoting well-being for musicians, contributing significantly to raising awareness about the importance of emotional health for this professional group.
Tine Van Goethen is the Director of the Audience Development Department at the Center for Fine Arts in Brussels (Bozar). Tine holds degrees in Political Science and Cultural Management from Leuven and Brussels and has extensive professional experience in the cultural and creative sectors. Passionate about art, culture, and education, she has a particular interest in inclusive practices. She is always eager to create meaningful partnerships that engage new audiences.
Isto Turpeinen, PhD in Dance Arts, is a dance expert, researcher, and educator. He currently works as a senior specialist at the Art, Health and Wellbeing Advisory Service within the Arts Promotion Centre Finland. A recent area of interest (2022–2023) in his work was the project “Wellbeing and Culture for Ageing”, part of the national 2030 Ageing Programme – For an age-competent Finland.
Julie Läderach is a cellist and co-director of Collectif Tutti in Bordeaux, France. For about 15 years, in collaboration with dancer-choreographer Sylvain Méret, she has worked in and around early childhood (“BB,” “3pM,” or “Éclosion”), promoting connections between parents, children, and childcare professionals.
Sylvain Méret is a dance performer, choreographer, and somatic movement educator/therapist. His recent projects include “BB” (for babies and parents), “Oumaï” (an immersive installation for youth), “Les Talentueux” (with performers with autism), and “Éclosion” (workshops and tools for babies, parents, and professionals). These projects explore diversity and inclusion in music and dance events. Sylvain is active in promoting somatic movement through the association Le Souffle co-créateur and teaches workshops and courses throughout France and Europe.
Moderator: Inga Surgunte is the Director of the Culture Program at the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO. She focuses on the impact of culture on sustainable development and health. A graduate of the Latvian Academy of Culture in 2023, Inga has experience in heritage interpretation and museum work. She collaborated with the Eduards Veidenbaums Museum Kalāči between 2021 and 2023, contributing to Latvia’s first permanent exhibition and to an educational program on mental health. Currently, she leads the Museums on Prescription program in Cēsis, as part of the project “Arts on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region.” Inga was involved in the CultureForHealth project, which promoted the inclusion of culture and health as a priority in the EU’s Work Plan for Culture. She represents the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia in the European Commission’s OMC (Open Method of Coordination) group on Culture and Health.
After the panel (from 11:30 to 12:30 EET), the project partners will host onsite or online discussions to further explore local and regional perspectives on art-based health and well-being initiatives.
You can register for the international online discussion via the NDPC website.
Context
The project AWAKE: Arts & Wellbeing as a Creative Business and Future Livelihood aims to explore the intersection of art and well-being from an economic and entrepreneurial perspective.
By highlighting emerging collaborative practices between art and well-being, the project will:
- Provide valuable educational material (a creative business model guide)
- Offer training opportunities (workshops and a bootcamp)
- Facilitate roundtable discussions with diverse purposes
Learn more about the project here.
More info: Kate Zilgalve-Masjukeviča (kate@ndpculture.org)
