Equal Arts announced in AESOP Arts in Health Conference and Showcase

A pioneering North East arts project for people living with dementia is to be showcased at a national arts in health conference.

The creative endeavours of hundreds of people taking part in our project 'Creative Age' will be highlighted alongside the latest venture from Dame Darcey Bussell DBE and programmes from Historic Royal Palaces and English National Ballet.

AESOP’s second national Arts in Health Conference & Showcase will take place on April 19 at Milton Court in London.

We'll be championing our Creative Age and Creative Age Challenge programme to health bodies, cultural organisations, arts charities and local authorities from across the UK.

The project runs daily sessions at North East venues including National Glass Centre and Arts Centre Washington in Sunderland and Shipley Art Gallery and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Arts in Gateshead. 

Kate Parkin, Creative Age Programme Manager, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to showcase what is happening in the region on this national platform. Creative Age Challenge is a national week of awareness aimed at challenging perceptions of dementia, celebrating creativity and generating sponsorship to sustain dementia-friendly creative programming.  “We hope the idea of staging a creative challenge that supports further dementia-friendly provision is something cultural venues and communities will really get onboard with.”

Equal Arts is among 24 organisations showcasing how the arts are contributing to current health priorities by reducing demands on the health system, addressing the neglect of mental health, supporting an ageing population and tackling health inequalities.

Tim Joss, Aesop Chief Executive and Founder, said: “The showcase opens a window on programmes which are both strong artistically and powerful contributors to health improvement. They demonstrate how arts and culture are part of the solution to today’s health challenges.”

The conference will be facilitated by Vivienne Parry OBE, science writer and broadcaster, with the following speakers: Dame Darcey Bussell DBE President of the Royal Academy of Dance & Founder of Diverse Dance Mix, Professor Gillian Leng CBE NICE Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Health & Social Care, Professor Tim Kendall NHS England National Clinical Director for Mental Health, Professor Martin Vernon NHS England National Clinical Director for Older People and Noel Gordon, Chair at NHS Digital, NHS England Non Executive Director & Board member.