Cavan Arts Leads on EU ‘CultureAndHealth’ Project
Cavan County Council Arts Office has secured €155,000 in funding to spearhead a new EU culture, health, and wellbeing programme in collaboration with 14 organisations from 13 countries.
The ‘CultureAndHealth’ platform will unite 15 partner organisations across Europe to leverage the proven benefits of artistic and cultural interventions. These efforts aim to enhance mental health, prevent illnesses, and build resilience.
Representing Ireland, Cavan Arts will join partners from Finland, Austria, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Italy, Romania, Latvia, Belgium, and Poland.
This initiative addresses critical gaps in Europe, such as the limited integration of culture into health and social policies, the lack of professional support and networks for artists in interprofessional settings, and the need for sustainable funding and fair working conditions for cultural practitioners.
The project will offer grant support for artists to implement projects or participate in international residencies. It will also provide capacity building and training, with over 1,500 live and 800 online training opportunities, digital resources, and showcasing events, including four international conferences.
Digital Aspects:
Digital Skills Training: Local arts practitioners will have the opportunity to upskill in digital skills, enhancing their ability to create and share digital content.
Live-Online Artist Training: The programme includes live-online training sessions for artists, allowing them to learn and interact in real-time from anywhere.
Digital Storytelling: Training in digital storytelling will enable artists to effectively convey their narratives and projects through digital media.
Digital Resources: The project will provide a wealth of digital resources to support artists in their work.
Online Training Opportunities: With over 800 online training opportunities, artists can access a wide range of courses and workshops to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Elisha McCaffrey, Arts and Health Manager at Cavan County Council, highlighted the project's significance for local arts practitioners: “Cavan Arts has secured €155,000 in funding, with an additional €38,750 from Cavan County Council, to deliver the ‘CultureAndHealth’ programme over the next four years. This initiative offers local arts practitioners opportunities to upskill in critical areas such as digital skills, evaluation training, showcasing and digital storytelling, live-online artist training, exchange programmes, networking, and sharing of good practices, as well as national showcase events and conferences.