Arts Care Unveils Ambitious Three-Year Strategic Plan: Harnessing the Transformative Power of Art in Healthcare, Corporate, and Community Settings

This strategic blueprint signals a dedicated commitment to integrating the arts into healthcare, corporate, and community settings to promote well-being and improve lives. This visionary plan also promises to bring invaluable dimensions to Northern Ireland's health and social care partnerships, endorsed by key supporters and partners.

At the event, the attendees gained an understanding of the core principles and objectives that underpin the Arts Care Strategy, the impact Arts Care make on the individuals and communities they work with within health and social care, community and corporate sectors, and the direction they are heading. The attendees, many of whom are not used to or confident holding a paintbrush, participated in art activities, experiencing first-hand the positive effects of creating their own artworks, as well as engaging with skilled and seasoned project artists. They also enjoyed live performances, showcasing how engagement in the arts can improve well-being.

Arts Care is a pioneering organisation dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of art. Through innovative programmes and partnerships, Arts Care integrates the arts into healthcare, corporate, and community settings, promoting wellness and enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals and communities. The strategy is the culmination of years of dedicated efforts, creative thinking, and a shared vision for harnessing the positive impact of art. By integrating the arts into diverse settings, Arts Care aim to create a brighter and healthier future for all.

Arts Care CEO, Barry Macaulay BEM says “We are delighted to launch our three-year strategy which outlines our growth plans for the period 2023-26. Building on our 30 plus years in the field of health and social care, we intend to bring our 5 key Arts in Health Products and Services to new audiences. This includes Councils, other Charities and Corporate Organisations, so that they and their staff and service users can benefit from the recuperative, healing and positive mental health benefits of engagement in the creative arts.”

Key speakers, including representatives from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and NICON, commended Arts Care's impactful work. Key speaker at the event, Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, adds, “Arts Care has long been an international leader, showing just how much the arts can contribute to our heath care experience, with their artists and Clown Doctors bringing a comforting human touch to clinical environments, helping to alleviate patients’ stress and worry. The new strategy lays out an ambitious vision to expand their services deeper into the community and continue to add new dimensions to the work of partners in health and social care. As Arts Care’s principal funder through our National Lottery funds, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to welcome and endorse the new strategy and the undoubted benefits it will bring to many thousands of patients, carers, families, and clinical staff.”

Will Nicholson was asked by Arts Care to create a detailed impact report, which was presented at the event. The review underscores Arts Care's significant contribution to health and well-being outcomes over 30 years. He said "It has been an honour to have had the opportunity to review Arts Care's impact. It is clear from this review that Arts Care is significantly contributing to health and wellbeing outcomes in Northern Ireland that are considerably beyond supporting the individual wellbeing of those that directly participate in arts and creative activities. This includes community wellbeing, enhancing healthcare delivery and healthcare environments and contributing to system and culture change. Arts Care has been achieving this impact for over 30 years and is undoubtedly a wonderful asset for Northern Ireland that is uniquely placed to support the Health and Care System and the health and wellbeing of our community. The opportunity now is for Arts Care and its key stakeholders to build on this over the next 30 years..."

Heather Moorhead, NICON Director, expressed her support for Arts Care's transformative initiatives, saying, “Arts Care's dedication to enhancing healthcare experiences through the arts, and their commitment to improving well-being across communities is truly commendable. This new strategic plan promises to expand its positive impact further into the community and corporate settings and brings invaluable dimensions to our health and social care partnerships. As a key partner and supporter of Arts Care, we eagerly endorse this visionary strategy and anticipate the significant benefits it will bring to countless individuals and organisations across Northern Ireland.”

The event served as a vivid demonstration of the transformative potential of art in these diverse settings, and the enthusiastic support from key speakers, including representatives from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and NICON, underscores the profound impact of Arts Care's work. With a vision to expand their services and positive influence, Arts Care's comprehensive review by Will Nicholson highlights their remarkable 32-year track record in improving health and well-being outcomes. The strategic plan's endorsement by key partners and supporters signals the anticipation of significant benefits for individuals and organisations throughout Northern Ireland.