Arts Care

08/06/2026

Big news for Fleadh for All!

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded funding by Bank of Ideas for our collaborative project with Sense NI !

A huge thanks to Bank of Ideas, Belfast City Council and to everyone who voted, shared and showed their support. Your backing has helped to make this project possible.

Our Inclusive Ceilidh will support greater inclusion and accessibility within the Fleadh, helping more people take part, connect and experience the joy of music, creativity and community.

The Inclusive Ceilidh will take place on the 8th of August from 2pm - 4pm at the SENSE NI Hub, and will feature live traditional music, dance performances, a specialist Ceilidh Caller and more!

This is a huge step forward for this exciting project. Keep your eyes peeled for more details!

05/06/2026

REMINDER:

The closing date for the Project Officer (Ignite Community Programme) is 12 June.

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.

If this position is something you’re interested in, be sure to apply via the link below.

More info 👇

✨ 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]

04/06/2026

For this week’s , we’re looking back to a very special visit from NIO Minister Matthew Patrick MP in April.

During his visit to the Arts Care office, the Minister and his team experienced a live performance of our Crankie Theatre, a unique form of visual storytelling that uses illustrated scrolls, music and performance to bring stories to life.

We’re grateful for the support of the Northern Ireland Office Connect Fund, which is helping NI-based community and voluntary organisations build meaningful links across the UK.

Through this funding we have connected with Equal Arts in Newcastle upon Tyne, with exciting plans for collaboration now underway.

Thank you to Minister Patrick and his team for taking the time to visit, learn more about our work, and see first-hand the difference creative health can make.

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

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

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]