Partnerships

Self-Care Workshops for Individual Artists

21st October, 2025

A series of free Self-Care Workshops for Individual Artists will take place in Belfast this November as part of the Arts and Mental Health Partnership Programme, funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, National Lottery and the Baring Foundation.

A pink neon sign with the words And Breathe in cursive lettering.
And Breathe - Max Van Den Oetelaar - Unsplash

Topics covered in the forthcoming workshops include Hands-On Sessions - a holistic half-day escape to reset your mind and body - Financial Advice, Food and Mood, Holistic Arts Practice, Resilience in Practice, Managing Rejection and Striking the Balance in a Creative World.

For full details and to book your free tickets, see the full Self-Care Workshops for Individual Artists programme here or visit the individual event links below.

Financial Advice Fair

Date: 7th November

Venue: The Boardroom, The MAC

Christine and Rosy James from Blick Studios will meet pre-registered artists to take them through their personal finance plan.

The Blick team will work with you to create your personalised plan in advance of the 1-2-1 session to help you understand and take control of your finances. Remove the fear and stress of managing money thanks to your Digital Finance Information pack, SMART goal setting and a personal action plan.

Artist Manifesto - waitlist running

Date 7th November

Venue: The Factory, The MAC

Patrick J O’Reilly, Artistic Director, Tinderbox Theatre Company and accredited creative therapist delivers a one-day Holistic Arts Practice (HAP) school offering artist training in play, complemented by creative therapy techniques inviting participants to explore the meaning of the artist’s purpose and develop tools for better well-being and mental health.

Food and Mood

Date 13th November

Venue: Meet at 393 Holywood Road

Inspire Wellbeing designed this session specifically for creatives. Explore the powerful connection between what you eat and how you feel. Learn why certain foods help improve your mood. Understand the gut-brain connection to enhance artistic flow, alleviate anxiety and foster long-term creative wellness.

Resilience in Practice

Date: 13th November

Venue: Bullitt Hotel

New Dawn Health and Wellbeing will explore the five foundational pillars of resilience in this nurturing, energising half day experience. Find space to reconnect with your inner strengths, restore emotional balance, and deepen creative resilience through mindfulness practices, creative expression, and guided reflection.

Hands-On Sessions

Date: 20th November

Venue: Malone House

Taking time to breathe, relax and just be present are luxuries for those working in the creative sector. These taster sessions offer a holistic half-day escape to reset your mind and body through mindful practice.

Qigong and Mindful Movement

Sound Bath Mindful Meditation

Essential Oils for Self-Care and Managing Emotions

Guided breathing

Managing Rejection

Date: 27th November

Venue: The Hub, The MAC

Dr Annette Clancy, Assistant Professor, University College Dublin, invites creative practitioners to explore how to navigate the highs and lows of a professional career and learn how you can work with disappointment to build long-term resilience. ⁠

Striking the Balance in a Creative World

Date:  27th November

Venue: Meet at 393 Holywood Road

Inspire Wellbeing will offer practical tools for artists to manage time, set boundaries, and maintain a healthy work-life balance while nurturing their creativity.

Funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, National Lottery and the Baring Foundation, the programme has been designed specifically for the creative sector, based on research with individual artists.

Evaluation of artist feedback revealed the need to address financial, societal, personal and sectoral pressures felt by individual artists and those working in the creative sector to help them develop resilience, alleviate stress, improve mental health and nurture creativity.