Highlights from the Arts Council’s Mental Health and Arts showcase
2nd July, 2026
A lullaby from The Henry Girls, positive artist feedback, and a testimonial from a project participant, were among the highlights from the Arts Council’s recent Mental Health and Arts Showcase, where ‘Arts in Mind’ was announced as the new brand for the programme.
At the event, artists, arts organisations and mental health care professionals joined the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to showcase the positive impact of public funding for the arts on mental health and wellbeing.
Over the last two years, the Mental Health and Arts Programme, which is delivered by the Arts Council 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. There were many funded projects in the room and Live Music Now led the showcase with a performance from The Henry Girls who are working on their Lullaby Project, which brings together families with musicians co-create, sing, and record original lullabies for their babies.
BEAM Creative Network’s ArtLift project, which delivers creative arts to support adults in the Cookstown and Magherafelt areas who are experiencing poor mental health also showcased their work.
Kathryn O’Neill, Head of Operations and Development, BEAM Creative Network commented on the experience: “It was a real privilege to share the work we're doing through this funding and to show first-hand the positive impact it's having on participants. Listening to other artists and organisations talk about the amazing ways they're using the arts to support mental health was truly inspiring.”
Courtney Harbinson, Youth Arts Coordinator, YouthAction NI, also spoke about their SHINE programme which engages young people with disabilities and mental health conditions in performing arts workshops and mini festivals.
Courtney said: “Representing YouthAction NI’s Shine project at the showcase was incredibly rewarding. Having the chance to share our work and see so many innovative projects in one space really highlighted the difference the arts can make in supporting mental health. I left feeling inspired, connected, and motivated to continue developing this work with young people.”
The audience also heard from Lisa Norris, Annette Clancy and Patrick J O’Reilly, who facilitated self-care workshops for artists earlier in the year before hearing feedback from a few of the artists who attend the workshops. There were also information stalls hosted by professional mental health service providers, The Recovery College, Minding Creative Minds, Inspire and Creative Health NI.
Javier Stanziola, Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Arts Council of Northern Ireland spoke at the event about the importance of this funding, he said: “Poor mental health is an ever-growing public health issue in Northern Ireland where we have the highest prevalence of mental health problems in the UK, with 30% of artists saying that poor mental health hinders their ability to create, exhibit, sell or perform their work.
“This funding has been developed in response to that, and we’re pleased to see the positive impact it’s had so far. Going forward the programme will be known as Arts in Mind and we’ll be developing more support for artists including a resource toolkit, more networking opportunities, and First Aid Mental Health Training.
“It’s thanks to the Baring Foundation and the National Lottery good cause funding that the Arts Council is able fund this work that also strategically helps us to develop an arts sector that looks after its people and is more inclusive, as well as, ensuring more people from all backgrounds can enjoy the health benefits of arts experiences.”
To find out more about this funding visit: Arts and Mental Health Partnership Programme | Arts Council NI