Healing Arts Scotland 2024 Launch
The Healing Arts Scotland Opening Celebration event takes place outside the Scottish Parliament at 4pm on Monday 19th August as part of Edinburgh International Festival.
Article Source: Healing Arts Scotland
Last Updated: 19 June 2024 12:10
Healing Arts Scotland 2024
Announcement of countrywide HAS events and speakers, including Opening Celebration at Edinburgh International Festival
Announcement of key conference speakers, country-wide HAS events and details of outdoor Opening Celebration Event at Edinburgh International Festival.
• The Healing Arts Scotland Opening Celebration event takes place outside the Scottish Parliament at 4pm Mon 19th August as part of Edinburgh International Festival, featuring over 250 performers and participants from across Scotland in an energetic celebration of music and dance that captures the spirit and healing power of coming together through the performing arts. Ensembles featured include Scottish Ballet, National Youth Pipe Band, TRYST, Oi Musica and Samba Ya Bamba. Scottish Ballet will present a specially commissioned dance piece featuring an ensemble cast of community performers, including Scottish Ballet's Youth Exchange company, NHS Lothian staff, Dance Base's PRIME Elders Dance company and Dance for Parkinson's Scotland group. The work will be performed to Mackay’s Memoirs by the late Scottish Celtic fusion artist Martyn Bennett, which celebrates its 25th anniversary – it was originally commissioned for the opening of the Scottish Parliament building on 1 July 1999.
• The HAS Conference, in Edinburgh on 19th & 20th August and Glasgow on 21st August will feature Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Sir Gregor Smith, as well as leading international arts health figures, including Christopher Bailey, Arts and Health Lead at the World Health Organization and a co-founder of the Jameel Arts and Health Lab; Dr Jill Sonke, from the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida; Nils Fietje and Calum Smith from the Behavioural and Cultural Insights Unit at the WHO Regional Office for Europe; Dr Daisy Fancourt, Professor of Psychobiology & Epidemiology at University College London; Sangeeta Isvaran, dancer-performer and founder of the Wind Dancers Trust, who has developed the Katradi method, working in marginalised, underprivileged communities using arts in education, empowerment and conflict resolution across 30 countries; Kunle Adewale, renowned Nigerian international artist, Founder and Executive Director of the Arts in Medicine Projects and the Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship, and arts in health practitioner; Magdalena Schamberger, theatre director, who collaborates with people living with dementia to create accessible performances in theatres, care homes and other settings; Fiona O’Sullivan, Director of Children’s Wellbeing for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity; Agustin Ivanez, Argentinean neuroscientist and Director of the Latin American Brain Health Institute at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (Chile), interested in global approaches to dementia and social, cognitive and affective neuroscience; Dr Nisha Sajnani, Associate Professor and Founder of Arts & Health at NYU. The conference will also highlight the innovative arts and health work happening in and across Scotland.
• The new Healing Arts Scotland website healingartsscotland.org/ is launched today, and features an interactive map showing all the Healing Arts activities happening across the country so far – more will be added as they register. Examples of events include:
Cancer Tapestry, the latest project from Dr Andrew Crummy MBE, creator of The Great Tapestry of Scotland, and Macmillan Cancer Support, unveiling a tapestry featuring 100 cancer stories from around Scotland, with the opportunity to add a stitch of your own to this historic artwork during live tapestry workshops;
Small Town Boy, marking the 40th anniversary of the LGBTQ+ anthem, with an exhibition and rave at SWG3, Glasgow curated by Scottish artist Joe Henry in collaboration with Bronski Beat and London Records. Artists taking part include Scottish artist, designer and DJ Charles Jeffrey, Irish Sculptor James Horan, Drag Queen Jonbers Blonde (RuPaul's Drag Race), Scottish/Filipino artist Csian Canave, as well as the original photographs from the Small Town Boy video by Steve Rapport, which have been painted over by Joe Henry, adding a layer of authenticity and nostalgia, further contextualizing the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Storywalk, an outdoor storytelling walk with wild foraged tea in the Cairngorms National Park, 'restorying' the land with folktales, lore of plants, trees and nature, as well as highlighting injustice within the landscape to help healing in its broadest sense.
WHO Arts & Health Lead / Co-Director Jameel Arts & Health Lab, Christopher Bailey said:
“Many cities around the world have taken part in our series of Healing Arts activations, but I am excited to see Scotland taking a truly national approach. Scotland’s unique sense of community, its embrace of all art forms, and its commitment to health for all promise to be an exciting combination. I can’t wait to participate and see what the communities come up with.”
Chief Medical Officer, Sir Gregor Smith said:
“The links between the arts and health are long established, not only in creating the environment for good health to flourish, but in supporting people with long term conditions. Scottish Ballet are leading exponents of this approach and I am immensely proud to be attending and supporting Healing Arts Scotland Week to learn more about how we can make the most of this fantastic opportunity to improve people’s health and wellbeing.”
Scottish Ballet CEO/Artistic Director, Christopher Hampson said:
"Healing Arts Scotland 2024 will be an inspirational week-long celebration of the huge impact the arts has on the nation's health and well-being. Scottish Ballet is proud to be leading on this global outreach project in collaboration with the WHO and a host of partner organisations. I’m really excited about the largescale participation performance taking place outside Scottish Parliament – it will be a true testament to all the wonderful arts health work that happens every day across Scotland."
Edinburgh International Festival CEO Francesca Hegyi said:
“The Edinburgh International Festival is proud to be part of the first ever nationwide Healing Arts campaign in Scotland. This is an important dialogue to help address health inequalities across the country and we look forward to facilitating those conversations throughout August.”
Healing Arts Scotland:
Whether it is dance classes, choir rehearsals, creative writing workshops or pot throwing, fantastic events take place every day all across Scotland that help improve people’s wellbeing. Healing Arts Scotland is a week-long celebration of these events, highlighting the joy they bring to those who take part, and their importance to the nation’s physical, mental and social health. This will be the first ever countrywide Healing Arts Week, following previous city-wide celebrations around the world, including New York, Paris, London, Venice and Jaipur.
The Opening Celebration of Healing Arts Scotland, taking place on 19 August, features over 250 performers from across Scotland in an energetic mass participation performance of music and dance outside the Scottish Parliament.
Scottish Ballet will present a specially commissioned dance piece featuring an ensemble cast of community performers, including Scottish Ballet's Youth Exchange company, NHS Lothian staff, Dance Base's PRIME Elders Dance company and Dance for Parkinson's Scotland group. They will dance to Mackay’s Memoirs by the late Scottish Celtic fusion artist Martyn Bennett, a landmark work by the GRIT Orchestra. The song has a strong connection to the Scottish Parliament itself, as it was commissioned for the opening of the Scottish Parliament building on 1 July 1999. This performance marks its 25th anniversary and is performed with live musicians from piping supergroup TRYST and the National Youth Pipe Band, under the musical guidance of GRIT Orchestra’s Greg Lawson.
Two new musicals compositions will also be debuted, by youth street band musicians Oi Musica with Glasgow-based collective Samba Ya Bamba, and the National Youth Pipe Band, in a mass moment of music making that captures the spirit and healing power of coming together through the performing arts.
The Opening Celebration will be followed by the HAS Conference in Edinburgh - two days of international industry speakers and panel discussions on the impact of healing arts activity, a conference and Wellbeing Concert in Glasgow and a series of special events in Aberdeen, Orkney and Lewis.
Events can be registered and viewed on the brand new Healing Arts Scotland website, which has an excellent interactive map showing all the brilliant events taking place across the country.
Healing Arts Scotland 2024 is led by Scottish Ballet as part of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s global ‘Healing Arts’ campaign in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, and will be produced together with a national coalition of organisations across culture, science, health, education and government.
Alongside Scottish Ballet and the Edinburgh International Festival, the partners helping to shape the week include Luminate, Health and Social Care Alliance (ALLIANCE), Intercultural Youth Scotland, Scottish Opera, Sistema Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland, International Teaching Artists Collaborative, Open Mind Project, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Imaginate, Indepen-dance, Mental Health Foundation Scotland, Tonic Arts, The University of Edinburgh and Arts Culture Health & Wellbeing Scotland.
Image credit: SB HAS Hospital Film - Image by Mihaela Bodlovic
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Edinburgh brewery presents ultimate Christmas tipple for craft beer lovers
Christmas has come early for Scotland's beer fans following the release of a limited-edition craft ale from a leading Edinburgh microbrewery.
READ MORE
Meet Festive Film Favourites at Fort Kinnaird in December
Christmas is already in full swing at Fort Kinnaird, and the festivities are set to get even more magical as a line-up of much-loved characters visit the centre for the first time this December.
READ MORE
Edinburgh bar to raise Cash For Kids after Christmas nutcracker theft
Copper Blossom on George Street Edinburgh has launched a new festive cocktail in aid of a children’s charity following the theft of its eight-foot Christmas nutcracker statue.
READ MORE
Embrace the spirit of Christmas on International Volunteer Day
Christmas is a time for giving, and what better opportunity to discover new ways to give back to your community than on Friday 5th December, International Volunteer Day.
READ MORE
WIN! An Edinburgh Christmas Experience for 4
Heard the news? OMNi is inviting everyone to get into the festive spirit with an exclusive Christmas Prize Draw.
READ MORE
Dynamic Earth calls for support as Big Give Match Funding opens
Dynamic Earth has launched its 2025 Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign to boost STEM access for young people.
READ MORE
Ring in Hogmanay with darts, dancing, and bottomless pizza
If your New Year's resolution is to have more fun, start early at Flight Club!
READ MORE
Aldi colleague awarded medal from the King after fundraising efforts
An Aldi colleague based in Bathgate has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of her incredible fundraising efforts, helping to raise almost £50,000 for local charities.
READ MORE
Fort Kinnaird joins forces with local charities to support people who feel lonely at Christmas
New research has revealed one in two people (56 per cent) living in Edinburgh have experienced feelings of loneliness at Christmas.
READ MORE
Celebrate South Asian cinema this December with a selection of releases at Vue
There’s plenty for fans of South Asian cinema to enjoy at Vue this December, with a number of titles heading to the big screen.
READ MORE
Santas little helpers, assemble
Santa Paws, in partnership with Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, is calling out for the city’s dogs to take part in an attempt to break the world record for the most dogs in Christmas jumpers.
READ MORE
The Entertainer opens brand new store in Edinburgh
Britain’s toy shop, The Entertainer, has officially opened a brand-new store at The Gyle Shopping Centre.
READ MORE
Brighten up the nights with the magical Winter Windows
Winter Windows are back at Edinburgh’s Christmas! An arts competition for Edinburgh schoolchildren of all ages, it is an annual showcase of their creativity and skills.
READ MORE
Edinburgh residents encouraged to nominate a charity to receive a festive financial boost
Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards is giving away £120,000 as part of its annual 12 Days of Giving Christmas campaign and nominations are now open.
READ MORE
Volunteer Centre East Lothian reopens just in time for the season of goodwill
The team at Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) have thrown open their doors after an extensive renovation and are welcoming back local residents, volunteers and community groups.
READ MORE
Newtongrange Primary School pupils reap the benefits of outdoor learning with a newly extended playground
Pupils at a Midlothian school have given their resounding approval to their newly extended playground, which includes access to green space and trim trail equipment.
READ MORE
Fort Kinnaird crowns winner of competition to design labels for homegrown honey
Nine-year-old Elodie from Niddrie Mill Primary School has been named the winner of a recent competition launched by Fort Kinnaird to design a label for the honey produced by its resident beehives.
READ MORE
Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.
READ MORE
Edinburghs Hogmanay reveals International Partnership & Artist Exchange Programme with Basque Country
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay today reveals the full line-up for its much-loved First Footin’ programme on New Year’s Day, with a landmark international collaboration led by Valtos topping the bill.
READ MORE
The Main Course: Serving Up a Slice of Italy in the Heart of Gullane this Christmas
Planning a Christmas lunch with colleagues, a family gathering or a relaxed night out with friends? The Main Course offers comfort, warmth and a menu that brings people back year after year.
READ MORE
Hamish Hawk commission comes to life with Edinburgh International Book Festival first ever record release
Edinburgh International Book Festival today announces that Life in a Scotch Sitting-room, Vol. 0, a limited-edition LP by Scottish indie songwriter Hamish Hawk, will be released on 5th December.
READ MORE
SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh unveils New Years Eve event and festive offering
This festive season, SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh is elevating its celebrations with two unforgettable experiences that perfectly capture the spirit of the season.
READ MORE
Vault City launches festive, Quaffable Treats, beer box inspired by Christmas chocolate tins
An Edinburgh brewery has created the 'perfect gift' for beer lovers this Christmas, inspired by the chocolates people hunt for first in the tin.
READ MORE
Red Hot Chilli Pipers headline free weekend of celebrations with Christmas ceilidh and market
The Ross Bandstand sparked festivities on Sunday with its opening Light Night Concert, and now has a jam-packed Scottish weekend in store of free events in honour of St Andrew's Day.
READ MORE
Somewhere by Nico Launches Festive Cocktail Experience
This festive season, Glasgow and Edinburgh relevellers can relive the magic of Christmas past as Somewhere by Nico unveil a brand-new immersive experience!
READ MORE
Zizzi celebrates a fresh era with a new menu and app, by giving 132 people free pasta for one year
Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.
READ MORE
Festive Season at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.
READ MORE
Leading the charge! Edinburgh car retailer hosts electric vehicle experience
John Clark Volvo Edinburgh is celebrating after its first EV Customer Experience Evening was a success with local drivers.
READ MORE
Six of the Best: Iconic concerts that rocked Murrayfield as the famous stadium turns 100
Scottish Gas Murrayfield has hosted some of the biggest shows Scotland has ever seen – and fans have had their say on the standouts.
READ MORE
Second year of Urban Forestry Programme opens across Scotland
Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links