Illustration by Cara Rooney

About Healing Arts Scotland

15-19 June 2026

As part of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s global outreach campaign in collaboration with the World Health Organization, Healing Arts Scotland is a biennial celebration of the role of the arts to improve health and wellbeing. Launched in partnership with Scottish Ballet in 2024, and co-produced by a national coalition of organisations bridging culture, healthcare, education and policy, the initiative was designed to embed the arts into public health and community well-being across Scotland.

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Events Map

Explore the events that shaped Healing Arts Scotland in 2024 and 2026

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Healing Arts Scotland Films

View our films celebrating and advocating for improved physical, mental and social health through the arts.

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Featured Events

Healing Arts Scotland Aberdeen Day

Monday 15th June 2026

Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare, Aberdeen

We were delighted to welcome guests to Aberdeen for the launch of Healing Arts Scotland — a day celebrating Healing Arts, featuring panel discussions, Q&As, keynote speakers, spotlight speakers, workshops and creative wellbeing activities connected to the themes of Healing Arts Scotland 2026.

Healing Arts Scotland Dundee Day

Tuesday 16th June 2026

V&A Dundee

The Healing Arts Scotland Dundee event was hosted at V&A Dundee on Tuesday 16 June 2026, where the Healing Arts Scotland Research Conference brought together researchers, practitioners and policymakers for a series of short, fast-paced presentations showcasing projects, research, creative practice and lived experience that connect arts and health across the lifespan.

Healing Arts Scotland Dumfries & Galloway Day

Tuesday 16th June 2026

Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries

The Healing Arts Scotland Dumfries & Galloway programme featured interactive sessions, discussions, performances and presentations - giving voice to people with lived experience, spotlighting impactful local work and highlighting potential cross-sector opportunities.

Healing Arts Scotland Edinburgh & Lothians Day

Wednesday 17th June 2026

National Galleries of Scotland

A National Healing Arts Scotland convening in Edinburgh led by the National Galleries of Scotland and Tonic Arts

Healing Arts Scotland National Conference

Thursday 18th June 2026

National Gallery, Edinburgh

The Healing Arts Scotland National Conference took place, with an opening address from Nicola Benedetti, Healing Arts Ambassador, and national and international speakers including Jill Sonke, Yazmany Arboleda, Nisha Sajnani and Professor Sir Gregor Ian Smith - Chief Medical Officer for Scotland. The conference was essential for everyone working and involved in the field of arts and health.

Healing Arts Scotland Glasgow Day

Friday 19th June 2026

Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow

Part of the 2026 Healing Arts Scotland Week, Healing Arts Scotland Glasgow Day is a bold, energising event created to inspire and inform anyone working at the intersection of health and creativity, whether you come from health and social care, the arts, or anywhere in between.

Healing Arts Scotland Online - Working with Migrant and Refugee Community

Wednesday 17th June 2026

Online

Those working with migrant and refugee communities across Scotland, through creative practices, discussed how concerns about far-right movements, hostile environments, and racism were affecting communities and practitioners.

Healing Arts Scotland Online - The Innovative Role of Arts & Mental Health in Rural Locations

Tuesday 16th June

Online

With a panel including Creative Scotland, Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, Shetland Arts and other rural arts and health organisations, we took a look at some innovative examples of how communities across rural Scotland were using participatory arts practice to improve mental health.

Healing Arts Scotland Online Conference - What Are The Priorities in Arts & Health Research?

Monday 15th June 2026

Online

We came together for powerful presentations and discussions on research priorities in arts and health. Framed by ground-breaking research studies and lived experiences from across Scotland and the US, this conversation tackled the big question on everyone's mind: "What next?"

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