Arts in Health Introduction

Kildare County Council Arts in Health Strategy 2009-2011 outlines the four key aims of the Arts in Health Programme:

1.      Supporting Naas General Hospital in the continuing development and implementation of an arts programme for patients, staff and visitors .

2.      Promoting and facilitating access to and participation in arts initiatives for users of mental health services.

3.      Developing arts provision for older people.

4.      Supporting arts programmes and training for service users and staff of intellectual disability services.

The focus of this strategy is the promotion and support of Arts in Health rather than Arts Therapy. Arts in Health refers to arts practice in a healthcare context and may include environmental enhancement, performances, exhibitions, participatory workshops and artists residencies.  Kildare County Council engages with local artists and agencies at varying levels to facilitate the establishment and development of Arts in Health initiatives.

To promote and encourage partnership working, a county wide Arts in Health Steering Group has been established with representatives from a variety of agencies in the health, disability and community sectors and artists working in the field of Arts in Health.

For information about the facilitation of the arts in healthcare contexts please contact:

Kildare County Council Arts Service, Tel: 045-448328 or arts@kildarecoco.ie