On 14–15 November, an international conference entitled ‘Culture for Health and Well-being’ was held in Bielsko-Biała, bringing together over 200 participants and 23 speakers from 18 countries, who discussed how participation in cultural events and artistic activities can affect mental health, support people in crisis and shape a modern approach to public health.
The conference was also attended by Anna Ochmann, president of the ARTeria Foundation, and Wenancjusz Ochmann, vice-president and head of ARTerii’s monitoring programmes for artists and creators, in which we work extensively on issues of health and wellbeing.
Experts, artists and practitioners presented specific examples of the impact of culture on health – from activities dedicated to young people and refugees to programmes helping uniformed services and carers cope with chronic stress.
One of the key topics was the impact of culture on the mental health of young people, which tied in perfectly with one of the projects implemented by the ARTeria Foundation, namely Breaking Taboo. The speakers drew attention to the deteriorating condition of young people and the need to introduce systemic support from an early age. Museums, theatre activities and art workshops can create safe spaces that allow young people to express difficult emotions and develop constructive relationships.
The conference in Bielsko-Biała was not only an opportunity to exchange experiences, but also an inspiration for action. The participants agreed that cooperation between the cultural, health, social policy and education sectors is the key to building a healthier and more resilient society.
The event was organised by: the City Culture Institute – Miasto Splotów, Culture Action Europe, Culture for Health.
The conference was held under the honorary patronage of the Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Marshal of the Silesian Province Wojciech Saługa, the Mayor of Bielsko-Biała Jarosław Klimaszewski and the Medical University of Silesia.
The conference was also an opportunity for members of the Polish Hub of Culture Action Europe to meet, with the participation of:
Agata Wąskowska-Pawlik, International Cultural Centre in Krakow
Katarzyna Szewciów, Baltic Sea Cultural Centre in Gdańsk
Agata Etmanowicz, Impact Foundation
Rafał Sakowski, Institute of Urban Culture – City of Weaves, Bielsko-Biała
Tomasz Włodarski, Małopolska Institute of Culture
Anna Ochmann, ARTeria Foundation
Wenancjusz Ochmann, ARTeria Foundation
Kornelia Kiss, Research and Development at Culture Action Europe
Marie Wittig, Culture Action Europe
