Calling Artists,Creatives,Health Care,Community,Arts Educators & Arts Advocates…
Following our very successful Festival Launch of our Programme for 2026 and our new rebrand from NI Mental Health Arts Festival to Mental Health Arts Festival NI, we are celebrating the return of our Arts & Mental Health Symposia in the cities of Derry-Londonderry & Belfast.Both Learning Regions.We are dedicated to celebrating our commitment across NI.
Our first Symposium takes place:
- 8th May
- 2pm – 5pm
- Nerve Centre Derry -londonderry
Register below for The Mental Health Arts NI Symposium at The Nerve Centre Derry-Londonderry.
Register
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987508075155
- 15th May
- 2pm – 5pm
- The Duncairn Arts Centre Belfast
Register below for The Mental Health Arts NI Belfast Symposium at the Duncairn on May 15th 2pm to 5pm
Register
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987602144519
We are indebted to the Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council and Mayor of Belfast City Council for their support.
Our symposia feature keynote speakers from a diverse range of contexts including the arts, mental health, wellbeing, voluntary, community sector, and education, including significant learning from those with lived experience informing academic research. The symposia will provide challenging and enlightening presentations, forums for dialogue & creative exchange, challenge stigma, and celebrate the power of creativity, self-expression and the arts upon our mental health and wellbeing. Our symposia provide insights that deal compassionately and intelligently with the stigma associated with talking about our mental health.
Speakers for our Derry Londonderry Symposium at Nerve CentrenMay 8th – 2pm to 5pm include:
- Welcome from Co Chairs Noelle Mc Alinden & Damien Martin Coyle Mental Health Arts NI.
- Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District
- Interview with Prof Daisy Fancourt – Research validating lived experience & the impact of the arts upon Mental Health & Well Being.
- Lorraine Calderwood – Arts Council of Northern Ireland
- Edel O Doherty – Developing Healthy Communities
- Bernard Mc Aneany Mental Health Professional & Chair AWARE NI
- Ailish Toohey – Minding Creative Minds – An all Island Approach.
- Insights from Artists,Arts Professionals
- Eavan King -Nerve Centre
- Brendan O’ Neill – Art Therapist NI Group of Art Therapists @NI
- Hidden Narratives – -@Brónagh Corr Mc Nicholl -Artist,Arts & Health Care Professional,
- NI Mental Health Arts Festival New Works Commissions – Justine Scoltock – An artists perspective
- Jonathan Burgess – Blue Eagle Productions – Insights from lived experience – inspiring theatre & stage.
- The power of Partnerships
- Closing remarks
- Performance
See below for the full Programme for Mental Health Arts NI Mindset Programme & fringe events May 8th to May 15th 2026
