A welcome to the Centre for Arts and Wellbeing from the co-directors, Dr Helen Johnson and Dr Jess Moriarty
We are proud to direct the Centre for Arts and Wellbeing at the University of Brighton, supporting research and enterprise initiatives that directly benefit the wellbeing of diverse individuals and communities. The university has a long history in innovative art and design practices, medicine and healthcare, and has pioneered community engagement, partnership and co-production practice. The Centre for Arts and Wellbeing brings these strengths together, fostering novel, vital, creative and collaborative modes and methods through which a range of health and wellbeing issues are investigated and brought to public benefit.
Our work extends across the broadest definition of arts and health practice, discovering and developing new strengths through the co-location of creative minds and multidisciplinary interests. In doing so, we make a vital contribution to contemporary cultural life for communities well beyond the university, while developing the knowledge base around how and why the arts, health and wellbeing can and must interweave.
Our membership extends across all schools and all levels in the university, including PhD students and early career researchers. We also work closely with a range of external partners and associate members, including representatives of local government, creative practitioners and community organisations. This network is continuously growing, and we are always keen to hear from potential new partners who connect with our aim of understanding and developing the relationship between the arts and our shared wellbeing.
Dr Helen Johnson and Dr Jess Moriarty