DVD & Publication

Project Partner:
Health Service Executive South

Project Description:
A publication and DVD documenting the positive impact of culture in healthcare settings was produced by Cork 2005.

‘Culture + Health: A study of 32 projects in diverse healthcare settings’ profiles the work of the Culture and Health Strand undertaken by Cork 2005, in association with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Southern Area, during the European Capital of Culture celebrations.

Celebrating and recording the wealth of vibrant and innovative work that took place in Cork in 2005, the publication and DVD contains 32 case studies of projects which brought music, dance, drama, video, photography, storytelling, ceramics, visual and sound art to over 2,500 clients in 43 healthcare locations. It provides adaptable project templates, practical information and a useful reference section for healthcare staff, artists, community and voluntary groups, cultural practitioners and anyone who has an interest in developing their skills in the field of arts and health.

An essay by Mike White, Director of Arts and Health in the Centre for Arts and Health in Humanities and Medicine at the University of Durham also features in the publication. The essay ‘A Change of Seats’ assesses the work undertaken by Cork 2005 in the context of developments in arts and healthcare work internationally. In the essay Mike White comments on the integration of culture and health projects into the programme for the European Capital of Culture celebrations: “Cork is now as ahead of the game on arts in health practice as anywhere else I can think of.”

Copies of Culture + Health: A study of 32 projects in diverse healthcare settings are available from Ann O’Connor, Arts and Health Programme Co-Ordinator, HSE Southern Area, Community Services Office, St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork.