Taikusydän participates in a new European collaboration: CultureAndHealth Platform supports artists working at the intersection of culture, health, and social sectors
Taikusydän – Arts & Health Coordination Centre in Finland and its administrator Turku University of Applied Sciences is one of the partner organisations taking part in the new EU-supported project CultureAndHealth Platform.
CultureAndHealth Platform, an initiative led by Culture Action Europe (CAE) unites 16 partner organisations from 14 countries. The project is set to support artists working at the intersection of culture, health, and social sectors across Europe. The Platform responds to the recommendations of the CultureForHealth report (2022), a report cited in EU documents on the “Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health.”
Background and aims of the project
With over 85 million EU citizens affected by mental health issues, the COVID-19 pandemic has further magnified challenges such as anxiety, depression, loneliness and social isolation. The CultureAndHealth Platform harnesses the proven benefits of artistic and cultural interventions to enhance mental health, prevent illnesses, and build resilience.
The initiative responds to pressing gaps in Europe, including:
- Limited integration of culture into health and social policies,
- A lack of professional support and networks for artists working in interprofessional settings,
- The need for sustainable funding and fair working conditions for cultural practitioners.
Empowering Artists and Communities
The platform focuses on emerging European artists working at the nexus of culture, health, and care. It offers:
- Grants and Mobility Opportunities: Financial support for 170+ artists to implement projects or participate in international residencies. The national project calls will be launched in the beginning of 2025.
- Capacity Building and Training: Numerous live and online training opportunities, along with peer-learning workshops.
- Showcasing Events: Four international conferences in Finland, Austria, Romania, and Belgium to highlight innovative practices in bridging culture and health and connect stakeholders. The Finnish conference will take place at the turn of September and October.
- Digital Resources: An online platform featuring a database of artists and best practices to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
A Cross-Sectoral Partnership
Led by Culture Action Europe, the four-year-project brings together cultural institutions, networks and local authorities that work in this area. The partners working on this project are:
- Turku University of Applied Sciences / Taikusydän – Arts & Health Coordination Centre (Finland)
- Cavan County Council Arts Office (Ireland)
- RED NOSES International (Austria)
- Pôle Culture & Santé en Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France)
- Kompetenscentrum för kultur och hälsa (Sweden)
- ARTS for HEALTH AUSTRIA (Austria)
- Kunstloc Brabant (Netherlands)
- Drustvo Associacija (Slovenia)
- Assoc Oltre (Italy)
- ARC Research & Consultancy (Malta)
- HumaQ – Healing Culture Network (Germany)
- Cluj Cultural Centre – CCC (Romania)
- Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture – NDPC (Latvia)
- European Regional and Local Health Authorities – EUREGHA (Belgium)
- Urban Culture Institute – the city of weaves (Poland).
The partner consortium met in Vienna, Austria on November 27–28 for the kick-off meeting to officially start the work on the CultureAndHealth Platform.
A Vision for Europe
The CultureAndHealth Platform aligns with EU priorities to enhance cultural participation, promote health equity, and integrate arts into public health strategies. It addresses vulnerable populations through inclusive, participatory arts initiatives.
The online launch of the platform will take place on 16 December 2024, 15:00 Finnish time, with further information sessions, online training, cross-border knowledge sharing and grant opportunities for artists from the second quarter 2025.
Artists, cultural practitioners, healthcare professionals, and policymakers are invited to follow the social media (LinkedIn) for newest updates of the project.
More information about the project in Finland:
Anna-Mari Rosenlöf
Senior Advisor, Arts & Health, Taikusydän – Arts & Health Coordination Centre
Email: anna-mari.rosenlof@turkuamk.fi
Tel: + 358 50 598 5257
