Arts and Health: Launch of new website at Dublin Dental Hospital

Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:06

Create, the national development agency for collaborative arts in social and community contexts and the Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT) announce the launch of the artsandhealth.ie website by Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

artsandhealth.ie is the first national independent Arts and Health website in Ireland. The website has been developed by Create and WHAT and was initiated and funded by the Arts Council, as an important element in the implementation of the Arts Council’s new Arts and Health Policy and Strategy published at the end of 2010.

Commenting on the launch, which took place at Dublin Dental Hospital, Minister Deenihan said “Collaboration between the Arts and Health sector has developed substantially in recent years. This interaction has enabled a broad range of people to not only connect and interact with artists, but also to enhance their experience of the arts world. This unique website contains a truly impressive range of information, featuring articles by patients, artists as well as healthcare staff. Other features, such as a directory of projects and all the latest news in this area make it a lively, colourful and attractive resource for everyone interested in this area.”

Mary Grehan, director, Waterford Healing Arts Trust , said: “The launch of this website marks a critical stage in the development of the arts and health sector throughout Ireland and improving the practice on the ground.”

Sarah Tuck, director, Create the national development agency for collaborative arts said: “The collaboration between Create and WHAT in the development of artsandhealth.ie has been very fruitful and the website represents a rich resource to showcase the very diverse range of arts and health projects going on all around the country.”

It is a single and independent resource to meet the current and evolving needs of those involved in Arts and Health. It will be an invaluable resource for service users and staff in a range of healthcare settings and community contexts and of benefit to artists and all those interested in this area of arts practice. The artsandhealth.ie website will be a centralised resource to assist the sustainable development of the Arts and Health sector.

artsandhealth.ie provides a reliable guide to organisations involved in this growing and diverse field of arts practice. Through the searchable database, users will be able to find resources and case studies of Arts and Health projects across Ireland and users will communicate with their peers and the public by uploading current news as part of the ongoing development of the website. The website also provides analysis of issues and trends in this field from a range of stakeholders.

For further details on the website, contact info@artsandhealth.ie

Create is the national development agency for collaborative arts in social and community contexts. The Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT) is a national resource organisation for Arts and Health.