Healing Arts Scotland (HAS) is a major national programme of arts and health events taking place across Scotland over one week in August 2024, as part of a global campaign. The aim of the week is to inspire and strengthen a network that can positively address current health concerns and inequalities across Scotland.
Spearheaded by Scottish Ballet as part of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s global ‘Healing Arts’ campaign in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, the one-week activation event will be produced together with a national coalition of organisations across culture, science, health, education and government. It will launch nationally on Monday 19 August as part of the Edinburgh International Festival and will include celebratory performances, exhibitions, public art programmes, workshops, dialogues, media partnerships and a high-profile policy moment.
There will be a focus on five priority areas where the arts can have a measurable impact:
Loneliness & isolation
Young people’s mental wellbeing
Dementia
Mental health in prison populations
Social Prescribing
All events will be taking place in Mareel, and are free of charge – however, booking is required to secure spaces.
Events being organised for Shetland, include:
Early Years Dance Class with Kathryn Gordon
Wellbeing Writing with Genevieve White
Make Your Own Self Care Box with Mind Your Head
Livestreamed Panel: Nurturing Healthy Island Communities through Culture
Nature Journalling with RSPB Shetland
Adult Ballet Taster Class with Matthew Lawrence of Shetland Community School of Ballet
Tickets for Healing Arts Scotland are free and are available to book online from tickets.shetlandarts.org, in-person at the Box Office in Mareel, or by calling on 01595 745 500 during opening hours of 10am-9pm, Tuesday - Sunday.
