Promoting AoP at the Culture for Health and Wellbeing conference in Bielsko-Biała

On 14–15 November 2024, the city of Bielsko-Biała, Poland, in partnership with Culture Action Europe, hosted the Culture for Health and Wellbeing conference—a dynamic two-day exploration of how arts and culture can enhance physical, mental, and social health. Bringing together policymakers, health professionals, social workers, artists, and researchers from across Europe, the event celebrated innovative practices and launched the Culture and Health platform, supported by the European Union.

Unpacking the Evidence: Arts on Prescription in Focus

During the session “Showcasing Evidence on Culture’s Contribution to Health and Well-being”, Marta Ciesielska, Senior Advisor from the Marshal’s Office of the West Pomeranian Region, presented the vision and achievements of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project Arts on Prescription. Her presentation was part of an expert panel featuring distinguished voices, including:

• Monica Urain, Policy Officer, European Commission
• Kornelia Kiss, Head of Culture and Health, Culture Action Europe
• Paul Milbank, Government of Jersey
• Nils Fietje, Technical Officer, WHO Europe

Together, they highlighted the transformative power of cultural activities in improving mental health and treating chronic illnesses, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of integrating arts into health and social policies across the EU.

The discussion delved into the next steps for social prescribing programmes, where cultural and artistic activities are included as part of formal healthcare plans to improve quality of life, reduce healthcare costs, and foster community cohesion.

Culture for Youth and Mental Health: A Personal Perspective

Day two of the conference spotlighted the role of culture in youth mental health. Among the speakers was Karol Pruciak, a Polish actor and dancer deeply involved in West Pomerania’s Arts on Prescription pilot activities. He shared personal stories of working with young people, illustrating how arts-based interventions foster self-expression, emotional resilience, and social connectivity among youth.

Shaping Policy: Expert Round Table on Culture and Health

In a culminating event, Marta Ciesielska participated in an Expert Round Table, alongside representatives from the Polish Parliament and other key stakeholders. This discussion aimed to transform the knowledge and insights from the conference into actionable recommendations for policy-makers and practitioners in Poland. Led by Else Christensen-Redžepović, a leading expert in cultural relations, the roundtable emphasized creating an effective, sustainable system to integrate culture into health strategies nationwide.

A Broader Vision for Culture and Health

The conference addressed a variety of pressing topics, including:

• The evidence base for the health benefits of cultural participation.
• The role of culture in supporting forcibly displaced people.
• Strategies for supporting helpers and carers, such as healthcare workers, rescue teams, and artists.

This aligns with the European Union’s Council Work Plan for Culture 2023–2026 (external link), which prioritizes the integration of culture and health. Backed by the WHO’s 2019 report (external link) on the role of arts in improving well-being and the CultureForHealth Report (external link), the EU is committed to advancing social prescribing and related cultural health initiatives.

Looking Ahead

The success of the Arts on Prescription Interreg BSR project and the insights shared during the conference serve as a rallying call for collaboration between cultural and health sectors. As policymakers and practitioners work to scale up these efforts, the event marked a pivotal step in creating healthier, more vibrant communities through culture.

Programme Manual Online

Choose