Ireland launches decade-long creative arts health strategy
A new ten-year strategy has been unveiled to integrate creative arts into health and wellbeing programmes across Ireland. The plan, launched in Dún Laoghaire, aims to expand access, reduce inequalities, and embed arts in national health and cultural policies.
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Gov.ie / MerrionStreet
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⏱️ 2 min read
The Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, has officially launched the National Creative Arts and Health Strategy 2026–2036 at the Lexicon library and cultural centre in Dún Laoghaire. Developed jointly by the Departments of Culture, Communications and Sport and Health, in partnership with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Arts Council, the strategy seeks to enhance access to creative arts as a vital component of health and wellbeing.
This landmark initiative aims to coordinate efforts across culture and healthcare sectors to ensure sustainable, high-quality creative participation reaches more people at every stage of life and in diverse communities. The accompanying Action Plan for 2026–2027 outlines immediate priorities and sets the foundation for ongoing two-year implementation cycles.
Minister Murnane O’Connor emphasised the transformative power of creative activities in fostering connection, confidence, and inclusion, especially for those facing barriers. Key stakeholders, including Tania Banotti of Creative Ireland, Prof Diarmuid O’Donovan of the HSE, and Maura McGrath, Chair of the Arts Council, highlighted Ireland’s potential as a global leader in this field. The strategy prioritises sustainable programme development, reducing participation inequalities, embedding arts within public health frameworks, strengthening professional expertise, and building robust evidence of impact.
This landmark initiative aims to coordinate efforts across culture and healthcare sectors to ensure sustainable, high-quality creative participation reaches more people at every stage of life and in diverse communities. The accompanying Action Plan for 2026–2027 outlines immediate priorities and sets the foundation for ongoing two-year implementation cycles.
Minister Murnane O’Connor emphasised the transformative power of creative activities in fostering connection, confidence, and inclusion, especially for those facing barriers. Key stakeholders, including Tania Banotti of Creative Ireland, Prof Diarmuid O’Donovan of the HSE, and Maura McGrath, Chair of the Arts Council, highlighted Ireland’s potential as a global leader in this field. The strategy prioritises sustainable programme development, reducing participation inequalities, embedding arts within public health frameworks, strengthening professional expertise, and building robust evidence of impact.
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