Bringing culture, arts and health and social care professionals together – From Idea to Action: Building Better Cultural Wellbeing Services seminar

The event, organized by Operation Pirkanmaa – The Cultural Network of Municipalities, Culture Bank (Kulttuuripankki) and the Pirkanmaa Wellbeing Services County (Pirha), will bring together cultural professionals, artists, municipalities, wellbeing services and third-sector organizations to discuss the future of cultural wellbeing and practical opportunities for collaboration.

Creating stronger connections between culture and wellbeing

Arts and culture are increasingly recognized as important contributors to health, wellbeing, and social inclusion. At the same time, cooperation between the cultural sector and health and social care services still faces practical challenges.

– Cultural professionals often need a better understanding of health and social care environments and their everyday realities. At the same time, wellbeing services can benefit from a deeper understanding of artistic work, collaboration with artists and ways of supporting people’s participation in cultural activities, says Saija Mustaniemi, Coordinator of the Operation Pirkanmaa – The Cultural Network of Municipalities and Moderator of Culture bank.

The seminar aims to strengthen dialogue between sectors, improve understanding of different professional roles and identify new opportunities for collaboration.

Developing new markets for cultural services

The event also contributes to the ongoing development of Culture Bank, a platform that connects cultural service providers with organizations looking to commission arts and cultural services.

Originally developed in Pirkanmaa region, Culture Bank has expanded into a nearly nationwide network. Current development work focuses on reaching new client groups alongside municipalities, including wellbeing services, educational organizations and the third sector.

– We already have a strong network of cultural professionals on the platform. What we now need are more targeted and easy-to-purchase cultural wellbeing services, as well as a better understanding of the needs of different commissioning organizations, Mustaniemi explains.

Learning from practice

The programme features real-world experiences from cultural work in residential care and supported living services, as well as presentations on developing and evaluating cultural wellbeing services.

Artist, arts educator, and drama instructor Jarmo Skön will share insights from his work in care homes. Experts from the Pirkanmaa Wellbeing Services County will present perspectives from services for older adults and people with disabilities.

Participants will also hear from Tiina Santala on barriers that prevent older adults from participating in cultural activities, and from Hanna Korhonen about the LAATUA! project, which focuses on improving the quality and impact of cultural wellbeing services.

The seminar will conclude with collaborative workshops focusing on:
•    Cultural services for older adults
•    Disability services
•    Home-delivered cultural services
•    Future development of cultural wellbeing services

– We hope to welcome both cultural professionals and health and social care practitioners. Our goal is not only to discuss challenges but also to identify practical solutions and co-create better services for the future, says Mustaniemi.