We're delighted that Arts Council England has offered to fund us as an Investment Principles Support Organisation in the 2023-6 funding round. We’re proud to be recognised for working with the amazing collective of organisations and freelancers that drives the creative health movement; and with the increased support we’re committed to delivering more targeted help for practice and practitioners: strengthening partnerships and investment, developing our relationship with research, and helping policymakers understand and fight for this vital area of work. A big thank you to ACE for their support.
We are acutely aware that along with some great news for socially engaged creative and cultural work, there have also been some painful disappointments. We’d like to reiterate our offer of support for creative health organisations and freelancers; please email us to discuss what might be most useful for you on [email protected]. We'd also welcome any general feedback you have about the results, so that we can build up a picture of how this has worked in relation to creative health.
On a personal note as CHWA’s Director I want to acknowledge the loss of Arts & Health South West from the portfolio – simply because we wouldn’t be here as an organisation without them. AHSW worked with regional partners around the country to build the idea and structure for CHWA over a number of years, and then generously housed us as an organisation as we worked towards becoming an independent in 2019. AHSW has been at the centre of building creative health in this country and internationally for many years – including leading an incredibly successful international conference last year – and they will remain an essential partner and inspiration.