The new CultureAndHealth platform is officially launched
Last week in Vienna, Austria, Culture Action Europe met with 16 partner organisations to officially kick off the CultureAndHealth Platform. This EU-supported 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.”
Addressing a Critical Need
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 the limited integration of culture into health and social policies, a lack of professional support and networks for artists working in interprofessional settings, and 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. Over the next four years, the project will develop grants and mobility opportunities, which will offer financial support for over 170 artists to implement projects or participate in international residencies. In addition, the project will also focus on capacity-building through over 1,500 live and 800 online training opportunities, along with peer-learning workshops. Through four international conferences in Finland, Austria, Romania, and Belgium, CultureAndHealth will host showcasing events to highlight innovative practices in bridging culture and health and connect stakeholders. Throughout the project, an online platform will be created to feature 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, a health network 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) and Urban Culture Institute – the city of weaves (Poland).
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 with further information sessions, online training, cross-border knowledge sharing and grant opportunities for artists from the second quarter 2025. Emerging artists, cultural practitioners, healthcare professionals, and policymakers are invited to follow the project for the newest updates.