Conference

Culture and Health Forum 

The international Culture and Health Forum will focus on artists working at the intersection of culture, health, care, education and social sectors. The event is open to everyone interested in themes arts, culture, health and well-being and international cooperation. 

WHEN

29. – 30.9.2025

WHERE

Turku UAS Arts Academy

Culture and Health Forum is a two-day international event organized as part of the Culture and Health Platform project (2024–2028).

The event will bring together

  • emerging artists working at the intersection of culture, health, care, education and social sectors
  • educators, researchers and students in the field of arts, culture and health
  • other professionals and students interested in research on and practices of arts, culture and wellbeing
  • organizations advocating for the use of arts and culture to enhance health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Culture and Health Forum will showcase and share best practices and latest research in the field of arts, culture and health. The Event will be organized by the Arts Academy of Turku UAS in collaboration with  Taikusydän Arts & Health Coordination Centre in Finland,  and the Nordic Arts and Health Research Network.

Register by 12 September 2025

Register

Programme 

Monday, September 29 

09:00-10:00 Registration, coffee & networking (Sigyn Restaurant & Lounge) 

10:00-10:30 Welcoming words & art performance (Sigyn Hall) 

10:30-11:15 Keynote: Prof. Christina Davies, Director of the Centre for Arts, Mental Health and Wellbeing, University of Western Australia Topic: “Good arts, good mental health” (Sigyn Hall) 

11:15-12:00 CultureAndHealth Platform: “Why are we here?” by Kornelia Kiss, Head of Culture and Health, Culture Action Europe 

12:00-13:00 Lunch 

13:00-14:15 Parallel Sessions I: 

  • Panel Discussion: Youth Mental Health & Arts (Sigyn Hall) Facilitator: Kornelia Kiss, Lead of Arts & Health, Culture Action Europe  
  • Workshop (Rope Theatre)  
  • Workshop (Studio Theatre) 

14:15-14:45 Coffee break & Posters & Stands (Rope Theatre Lounge) 

14:45-16:00 Parallel Sessions II:  

  • Artist Showcasing Presentations (Sigyn Hall)  
  • Workshop (Rope Theatre)  
  • Workshop (Studio Theatre) 

18:00 onward Evening programme 

Please note that the schedule for the event is a plan, and therefore subject to change.  

Tuesday, September 30  

09:00-10:15 Parallel Sessions III 

  1. Research Presentations (Sigyn Hall)  
  2. Artist and Project Showcasing Presentations (Rope Theatre)  
  3.  Workshop (Studio Theatre)  
  4.  Workshop (Room H319/330)  

10:15-10:45 Coffee break & Posters & Stands (Rope Theatre Lounge) 

10:45-12:00 Parallel Sessions IV  

  1. Research Presentations (Sigyn Hall)  
  2. Artist and Project Showcasing Presentations (Rope Theatre)  
  3.   Workshop (Studio Theatre)  
  4.   Workshop (Room H319/330)  

12:00-13:00 Lunch at Sigyn (self-funded) 

13:00-14:15 Parallel Sessions V 

  1. Research Presentations (Sigyn Hall)  
  2. Artist and Project Showcasing Presentations (Rope Theatre)  
  3.   Workshop (Studio Theatre)  
  4.   Workshop (Room H319/330)  

14:15-14:45 Coffee break & Posters & Stands (Rope Theatre Lounge) 

14:45-16:00 Reflective Panel Discussion & Closing, Art Performance (Sigyn Hall) 

18:00 onwards – Evening programme (dinner, self-funded) 

Please note that the schedule for the event is a plan, and therefore subject to change.  

Venue 

The Culture and Health Forum will take place at Turku UAS Arts Academy, which is in Linnankatu 54-60, 20100 Turku, Finland, right next to the River Aura.  Visit Arts Academy’s website for detailed information how to get to campus: Linnankatu Arts Academy.

Travel to Turku  

 There are several ways to get to Turku, and we recommend that you travel to Turku on Sunday or early Monday morning (e.g. by ferry from Stockholm). If you wish to look for travelling options with an address, it is Linnankatu 54-60, 20100 Turku, Finland.  

For detailed information how to travel and get around in Turku, we recommend reading more from Visit Turku: Travelling to & around Turku.

Getting to the Arts Academy  

If you arrive at Turku Airport, you can conveniently take bus No. 1 which stops right in front of the Arts Academy. The bus service runs regularly between the harbor and city center – you can check the schedules at www.foli.fi/en. 

Coming from either the Turku Main Railway Station or Harbor Station? No worries – both stations are just a pleasant walk away from the Arts Academy. Remember to book your train to the station Turku – City Center Logomo. 

And if you’re arriving by ferry at the Viking Line or Silja Line terminals, you can hop on the same convenient bus No. 1 that will take you straight to the Arts Academy and city center. 

The CultureAndHealth Platform 

The Culture and Health Forum is part of the Culture and Health Platform project (2024-2028).  

The Culture and Health Platform project (2024-2028) aims to support European emerging artists who already have some experience working in the arts & health field and who want to develop their work further and join European cooperation. The project is coordinated by Culture Action Europe and involves 16 partners from across Europe. Taikusydän and Turku University of Applied Sciences represent Finland in the project. 

The CultureAndHealth Platform is co-funded by the European Union (grant nr: 101176227). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

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