This seminar is a three-day induction and information exchange for British Council staff interested in working across the interface between the arts and health. It aims to give participants the background necessary to be able to respond to opportunities in-country.

What do we mean by ‘arts in health’? As defined by Tom Smith, (The Centre for Arts and Humanities in Healthcare and Medicine, Durham University), the arts in health are: ‘arts-based activities that aim to improve individual/community health and healthcare delivery using arts-based approaches’.

This event shares the findings of recent British Council research into arts and health practice in different countries. It provides participants with the opportunity to exchange information and learn from each other, and develop ideas for in-country projects. The seminar includes presentations by arts in health practitioners and policy makers and visits to arts and health projects in the North West of England.

This event lays the foundations for a second event to be held in 2005-06, for arts in health practitioners in your countries, with whom you may later work to develop regional products.