Welcome to the Centre for Arts and Wellbeing

Dr Helen Johnson, Directors of the Centre for Arts and Wellbeing

A welcome to the Centre for Arts and Wellbeing from the director, Dr Helen Johnson

The Centre for Arts and Wellbeing at the University of Brighton proudly supports 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

News features on the Centre for Arts and Wellbeing

The Centre for Arts and Wellbeing on the University of Brighton press news stream

New video to help adults with learning disabilities stay safe online

University of Brighton has contributed to a new accessible online guide to help adults with learning disabilities and autism stay safe online.

Brighton artist draws together art history and climate change for BBC

University of Brighton lecturer Emma Stibbon has fronted a Radio 3 programme using historic art to highlight the impact of climate change in the Alps.

University of Brighton and African Artists Foundation facilitate new arts-based cross-cultural dialogues across continents

The Building Bridges through Contemporary Arts (BBTCA) initiative aims to foster cultural knowledge exchanges between Africa and Europe in the face of pandemic.

Interdisciplinary study to probe surge in gender-based violence driven by lockdowns

University of Brighton associate professor Lesley Murray has received a COVID-19 Rapid Response grant to examine surges in domestic abuse during the pandemic.

Capturing our two-metre conversations

The university's Katy Beinart is working with Phoenix Art Space and filmmakers Lily Murray and John Edwards to capture ‘2m Conversations’ during COVID-19.

Displaying 6 to 10 of 11 Next Previous |

Our researchers write for

• Superman’s not the first hero to be portrayed as bisexual, but he’ll bring hope to LGBTQ+ fans Alex Fitch
• Are travel philanthropists doing more harm than good? Marina Novelli