Posted Oct 18, 2024
Réalta was delighted to be one of 22 international Arts + Health organisations featured in a new Australian study. This research explores what drives momentum in arts and health globally and how organisations contribute to this progress. Key findings include: A strong evidence base for arts and health, though translating this evidence into action remains a challenge. The importance of diversifying the workforce in Arts + Health. The need to connect the various strands of arts and health work worldwide. The study gathers insights from a diverse range of organisations, including research groups, national networks, and nonprofits from regions such as Australia, Nigeria, Finland, the UK, and Japan. It explores their origins, key successes, challenges faced, and how different countries are advancing the field of arts and health. One highlight from the study is Réalta’s annual flagship event, ‘Check Up Check In’, which plays a crucial role in fostering national connections within the arts and health sector. Claire Meaney, Director of Réalta, emphasised the value of these gatherings: “There’s simply no substitute for the human connection involved in physically coming together—to share, exchange, inspire, and reconnect with our peers, colleagues, and friends.” The study noted that such events fill a critical gap in many regions, underscoring their importance in advancing the sector. Speaking about Réalta’s involvement in the report, Claire Meaney added, “Réalta is honoured to be part of this international dialogue and remains committed to advancing the arts and health sector in Ireland and beyond. There is fantastic work being achieved both at home and abroad, and we continue to advocate for and support the growth of arts...
Posted Oct 14, 2024
Speakers announced for Experience 2024: An Introduction to Arts, Health & the Older Person – Keynote Speaker Dr Trudy Meehan The speakers for Experience 2024: An Introduction to Arts, Health and the Older Person have been announced, with a reminder that the deadline for applications is Thursday 31 October. This one-day learning programme for artists and arts practitioners of all disciplines takes place on Thursday 5 December at Limerick City Gallery of Art. The exciting line-up of speakers includes Dr Trudy Meehan, Clinical Psychologist, with a specialty in the Psychiatry of Later Life; dancer and choreographer Mary Nunan; composer and musician Justin Grounds; dementia specialist Sarah Cairns; artists Caroline Schofield, Marie Brett and Joanna Hopkins; dance artist Katy Hewison; Dr Tara Byrne and Brian Dooney of Age & Opportunity, and Claire Meaney of Réalta. Over the course of the day, Experience 2024 will aim to outline the essential elements involved in working with older people in an arts and health context. Experience 2024 is presented by Age & Opportunity, the national organisation working to enable the best quality of life for us all as we age, and Réalta, the national resource organisation dedicated to developing arts + health in Ireland. Places are limited to 20 and cost €30.00 each, including a hot lunch. The application deadline is Thursday 31 October. Experience 2024 is funded by the Arts Council and the HSE, with support from Limerick City and County Council Arts Office and Limerick City Gallery of Art. This is the fourth year of Experience, which was devised in 2021 in response to the need for more training and practical orientation for...
Posted Sep 29, 2024
Event Information for Irish Doctors Orchestra Concert in aid of Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts on Sunday 29 Sept, 4.30pm at SETU Arena UPDATE at Sunday 1.30pm: We’re looking forward to our concert this afternoon with the Irish Doctors Orchestra, 4.30pm at SETU Arena. The weather in the south-east isn’t great, so if any ticketholders are not comfortable travelling to the concert & would like a refund, please email whatartshealth@gmail.com by 3pm. After this cut-off time, we won’t be able to issue refunds. Anyone who doesn’t have a ticket & would like to attend, tickets will be available on the door. Travel safely everyone. Parking: There is ample parking at the venue and there will be two car park attendants on duty before the concert. There are additional spaces reserved for anyone who may require parking close to the entrance for mobility reasons. Tickets: For anyone who booked online through Eventbrite, you will have received your tickets by email directly from Eventbrite. If you’re having trouble accessing your tickets, please don’t worry – We will have a list of all who have booked via Eventbrite on the door, so we can check you in that way. We will also have some tickets for sale on the door, so if you know of anyone who may be interested in coming, we would be grateful if you could let them know. Concert: The concert begins at 4.30pm and will last approximately two hours, with a 15-minute interval. There’s a wonderful programme of music in store and a very nice souvenir programme to take home. Our sincere thanks to our programme sponsors for their support. Seating: Seating is...
Posted Jul 15, 2024
Medicine will meet music at the Irish Doctors Orchestra’s special Fundraising Concert to take place at the SETU Arena on Sunday 29 September at 4.30pm. All proceeds from the concert will go to the Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts programmes at University Hospital Waterford. Under the baton of well-known Waterford musician and conductor Liam Daly, the concert will feature music from the opera Maritana by Waterford composer William Wallace, Concerto in F major for Two Bassoons by Johann Baptist Vanhal and Symphony No. 7 by Antonin Dvorak, in addition to a traditional Irish element, courtesy of the Waterford Harp Ensemble of Music Generation Waterford. Tickets (€20/€10/€5) are now on sale. To book, click here Announcing details of the concert, Dr Julia O’Leary from the Irish Doctors Orchestra said “We are very excited to be performing at the SETU Arena in September and we’re especially thrilled to be performing Maritana by William Wallace in his home place of Waterford. We’re also delighted to be joined by young musicians from the Waterford Harp Ensemble of Music Generation Waterford for this concert. The Irish Doctors Orchestra is a unique gathering of medics who love to play classical music and what better purpose could there be than to raise funds for the fantastic organisation that is Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts. Many of our medical colleagues have told us about the wonderful work of the Waterford Healing Arts programme at UHW, easing patients’ worries through the arts, and softening the clinical space with the hospital’s stunning art collection. This is a perfect fit for us and we can’t wait to perform in Waterford.” Claire Meaney, Director of...
Posted Jul 2, 2024
Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts is currently recruiting an Assistant Art Curator to join its team under the Community Employment Scheme. The Assistant Art Curator will assist with the management of the University Hospital Waterford (UHW) Art Collection, and the planning, organising and installing of new exhibitions at the hospital. This role offers a great opportunity to anyone interested in visual art to gain valuable experience in presenting artworks in a hospital setting. Applicants must be eligible for Community Employment and applications should be submitted by email only to info@realta.ie The deadline for receipt of applications is 6 August 2024 at 5pm. A full job description is available here. The Art Collection has been central to the work of Waterford Healing Arts since its inception and, over the last 31 years, has grown to over 600 works on display at the hospital. Managed by Waterford Healing Arts, the permanent Art Collection transforms the hospital building from a sterile, institutional space to a more colourful, human place, full of paintings and other artworks, which lifts the spirits of patients, family members and staff. In addition, Waterford Healing Arts curates an engaging and exciting programme of temporary exhibitions at the hospital, offering patients, families and staff the opportunity to experience inspiring and thought-provoking contemporary art. Announcing details of the recruitment drive, Claire Meaney, Director of Réalta/ Waterford Healing Arts, said “The Assistant Art Curator at University Hospital Waterford is an important member of our team. The role involves liaising with various departments within the hospital, and working with our Project Co-ordinator/Curator and Art Installer to ensure the Art Collection is maintained and presented...
Posted Mar 22, 2024
As part of Experience 2023: An Introduction to Arts, Health and the Older Person, an in-person learning programme which took place at Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts Centre for Arts + Health in December, writer, actor and activist Noelle Brown was commissioned to participate, observe and write a reflection on the day. This reflection is available here: Experience 2023 Reflection by Noelle Brown Experience 2023 was presented by Réalta and Age & Opportunity, and was kindly funded by the Arts Council and the HSE. Further info is available here IMAGE: Dr Lucy Pollock, Consultant Geriatrician and author of ‘The Book About Getting Older’, speaking at Experience 2023. Photo by Keith...
