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Book your ticket for the Arts Council’s Mental Health and Arts Showcase at The MAC Belfast

5th June, 2026

The Arts Council of NI is hosting an event on Wednesday 24 June to show the positive impact of public funding for the arts on mental health and wellbeing.

A group of six people standing outside in a line smiling at the camera with a red brick building in the background
Pictured at the Mental Health and Arts grant announcement in September 2025, L-R: Niall Heron, Armagh Tyrone Wellbeing Collective, Maire Campbell, Youth Action, Lorraine Calderwood, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, David Cultler, Baring Foundation, Lucy McCullough, Ulster Orchestra, Cara McCartney, Millenium Form

Over the last two years, the Mental Health and Arts Programme, which is delivered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland with funding from The National Lottery and the Baring Foundation, has provided creative opportunities for people living with mental health issues, through engagement in high quality arts.

The funding has supported over 150 artists, delivered 20 wellbeing workshops, and awarded 22 grants to organisations working across Northern Ireland.

This showcase event will reflect on the programme to date, provide an opportunity to network and find out what’s to come. Whether you’re an artist, or an arts group working in the mental health sector, or just interested in finding out more about this topic, you are welcome to attend.

Here is what you can expect on the day:

9.30am – Doors open for registration. Tea/coffee/pastries will be available.

10.15am – Morning session
• Welcome: from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
• Project showcases: from Live Music Now and BEAM.
• The Sofa Session: Panel discussion with Artists and Self Care Facilitators describing their experiences of the programme – Inspire, Annette Clancy and Patrick J O’Reilly.
• Morning sum-up: hear from David Cutler OBE, The Baring Foundation

1.10pm – Lunch break with refreshments provided. There will be an opportunity to network with other groups and visit information stalls hosted by professional mental health service providers: The Recovery College, Minding Creative Minds, and Inspire.

2.10pm - Afternoon session
• Project showcase: from YouthAction NI.
• Sharing the Learning: feedback from the artist wellbeing workshops.
• Future development opportunities: hear about the Arts Council’s plan for the next 12 months.

3.15pm - Sum-up and finish 

The event is free to attend, and you have until 17 June to register. Visit Ticket Tailor to book your place now. If you have any special dietary or accessibility requirements, please advise us when you register.