Arts Care

02/06/2026

The Derg Valley Divas brought energy, elegance and joy to the 2026 Here and Now launch!

Choreographed and led by the wonderful Carmel Garvey, the group rehearse and perform at the Castlederg Healthy Living Centre in Co. Tyrone as part of the Here and Now festival, supported by the Public Health Agency

The audience was captivated by their beautiful rendition of ‘Blue Skies’ by Birdy, before the Divas raised the energy with a lively performance of ‘Hit the Road Jack’ by Ray Charles!

Check out the video below to watch the Derg Valley Divas performing in the Castlederg Healthy Living Centre. Many thanks to Penny McGovern for the wonderful video.

Derg Valley Care Health Hub

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01/06/2026

Embers of Care has moved to a new home!

The striking art series by John Yayen shares the contributions of migrant healthcare workers to the NHS, with Yayen drawing on his own frontline experience in end-of-life and dementia care.

We were delighted to collaborate with Arts Ekta and host Embers of Care at Olive Tree House from January - March.

The exhibit has now moved to TWN Training for Women Network , 116 - 118 Holywood Road, Belfast, where it will be on display for the next 6 - 9 months. We’re delighted to see this important work continue to reach new audiences.

26/05/2026

26/05/2026

There’s one more month to visit the 2026 Here and Now exhibition before it closes for this year!

Every year, we are blown away by the talent of our participants - and this year is no exception.

The exhibition is on display at the Old Museum, Mossley Mill, and runs until 30 June, celebrating the creativity and talent of older people across Northern Ireland.

Supported by the Public Health Agency , the Here and Now festival uses creative arts to help combat loneliness and social isolation and promote wellbeing and connection in people aged 60 and over.

For more information, go to our website 👉 https://www.artscare.co.uk/projects/here-now-arts-festival/

19/05/2026

When you visit the hospital and chat to the receptionist, doctor, nurse or other staff member you probably don’t wonder “what other talents do they have?”

The fact that they’re facilitating so many people’s healing journeys on a daily basis is talent enough in most people’s eyes.

But behind the stethoscopes and words of encouragement, when the scrubs come off and it’s time to wind down many of our creative healthcare professionals pick up tools of a different kind.

From mixed-media canvases, photography and clay sculptures to paintings, pastels and willow creations the artwork in our latest Hidden Talents exhibition is incredible.

It’s currently on display at the Tower Gallery at Belfast City Hospital until the the end of July.

But don’t worry if you can’t make it, our online gallery is now live too and you can grab a cup of tea and immerse yourself in a world of “Transformations” as interpreted by the talented staff of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

See more amazing artwork in the online gallery here 👇

https://www.artscare.co.uk/projects/hidden-talents-2026/

Or scan the QR code below 👇

16/05/2026

Today, Arts Care artist Beth McComish led a beautiful Art With a Side of Conversation workshop at 2 Royal Avenue in partnership with Blood Cancer UK. ❤️
Participants created individual metal etching pieces which will come together as one larger collaborative artwork, touring to different locations and carrying each person’s mark and story with it.
The workshop created a welcoming space for conversation around blood cancer, clinical trials, shared experiences, and connection through creativity.
A wonderful reminder of how art can bring people together, spark important conversations, and help communities feel seen and heard.

15/05/2026

✨ We’re Hiring! Join the Arts Care Team ✨

Arts Care is recruiting a Project Officer (Ignite Community Programme) to lead our contribution to an exciting social innovation programme empowering young people across Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland.

📍 Location: Belmont Office Park, Belfast
🕒 Full Time: 37.5 hours per week
📅 Fixed Term: Until 31 August 2028
💷 Salary: £29,123 (annual incremental review)
🗓 Closing Date: 12pm 12th June 2026
🗣 Interviews: 18th June 2026

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a leading role in delivering arts programmes that help young people co-create innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges. The post holder will coordinate workshops, exhibitions and showcases, manage project artists and admin staff, liaise with consortium partners, and contribute to monitoring and evaluation for this PEACEPLUS-funded programme.

If you have:

✔️ At least 2 years’ project coordination experience
✔️ Strong organisational and stakeholder engagement skills
✔️ Budget management experience
✔️ A passion for arts, young people and community impact

We’d love to hear from you.

🔗 Full details and application information: https://www.artscare.co.uk/jobs/post-arts-care-project-officer-ignite-community-programme/
📧 Please return completed applications to: [email protected]

14/05/2026

Before the Tower Gallery, there was Windsor House.

For this week’s , in light of the 2026 Hidden Talents launch, we’re going back 32 years to another Arts Care installation at Belfast City Hospital.

This exhibit was displayed in Windsor House Psychiatric Unit, which has now been replaced with the Acute Mental Health Inpatient Centre.

As we celebrate the amazing art featured in the 2026 Hidden Talents exhibition, these archive images are a reminder of just how long Arts Care has been bringing creativity, connection and colour into healthcare spaces across Northern Ireland.

We’re incredibly proud of our long-standing relationship with Belfast City Hospital, and of the many artists, staff, patients and service users across the Health and Social Care Trust

The 2026 Hidden Talents exhibition will be on display in the Tower Gallery in Belfast City Hospital till the end of July

Were you part of Arts Care’s early hospital arts projects? We’d love to hear your memories.

13/05/2026

Recently we had the chance to showcase the amazing work of our Clown Doctors in a BBC campaign.

Every year our Clown Doctors bring comfort, joy and creativity to thousands of children and families across NI’s hospitals, hospices and community venues.

Imagine being a child in hospital, frightened, in pain or waiting for treatment.

Then, in walks our Dr. Clooless and Dr. Twinkle, red noses shining, armed with bubbles, jokes, and gentle silliness.

Suddenly, the ward changes. There’s laughter. Parents breathe easier. Nurses smile.

And just for a moment, being sick isn’t the whole story.

That’s the magic of the Arts Care Clown Doctors.

Our small team of professional performers travel to hospitals and communities, working in pairs to transform some of the toughest places into spaces filled with laughter, play and human connection.

They aren’t just entertainers.

Their presence offers more than distraction – it gives children and families the chance to feel normal, to be playful, to be lifted out of fear and into joy, even if only for a few moments.

If you missed our BBC Broadcast Appeal to extend the valuable work of the Clown Doctors and want to find out more or make a donation online, check it out on BBC iPlayer or click the link below 👇

https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/northernireland/appeals/radio/the-clown-doctors

12/05/2026

She’s gone and done it again!

Arts Care dancer and choreographer Carmel Garvey has scooped the Inspiring Change through Creative Practice award at the recent Elysian awards in Gilford.

For over four decades in the arts Carmel has brought joy, laughter, dance and movement to people across Northern Ireland.

And, for the last 16 years she’s worked with us at Arts Care to use dance, movement, yoga and relaxation to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community, improve their health and wellbeing, and increase their confidence.

Through her work Carmel brings people in hospitals, day centres and community settings a feeling and sense of inclusion and connection with the world around them and each other.

Congratulations Carmel, and thank you for the incredibly important work you do!