SOUTH EAST ARTS LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE ARTS & HEALTH INITIATIVE
Business, health and community leaders from across Bega Valley, Eurobodalla and Snowy Monaro gathered at the Bega Commemorative Civic Centre on Monday night for the launch of South East Arts’ new arts & health initiative SWELL – the art of being well.
“Research shows that arts and culture can play a significant role in achieving health and wellbeing outcomes of patients, staff, clients and visitors to health services and within the broader community,” said South East Arts’ Chair, Bettina Richter.
“With Swell, South East Arts aims to build stronger, healthier and happier communities, develop projects which align with state and locally determined health priorities, and grow networks, resources and opportunities for participation and learning.
Jenny Symons, Chair of the Southern NSW Local Health District agrees, “With the recent release of the NSW Health and the Arts Framework, this regional strategy is ideally timed to build partnerships between the creative sector and health professionals working in the field of arts and health.”
In response to the 2016 release of the NSW Government’s Health and The Arts Framework, South East Arts has developed a regional strategy to:
Support the development of arts and health approaches and initiatives in health care settings across the region
Facilitate connections and alliances between the arts and cultural community and health services
Build the capacity of arts and health practitioners to make meaningful contributions to both artistic practice and health and wellbeing goals.
The evening also saw the announcement of South East Arts’ Public Fund and a call for donations from local individuals, businesses and service groups to support the work of the region’s leading arts organisation. Thanks to the support of Creative Partnerships Plus 1 funding, every dollar you donate to South East Arts will be doubled until March 2017. The guests at the event were welcomed by national award winning Djaadjawan Dancers from Narooma and entertained by Cooma-based troubadour Mikelangelo.
For more information on SWELL and how to support South East Arts in their initiatives, please see the South East Arts website www.southeastarts.org.au or contact General Manager, Andrew Gray directly on 64920711 or email agray@southeastarts.org.au
