Creative Scotland invites collaboration on Arts and Mental Health Framework

Creative Scotland is inviting arts professionals, health practitioners and people with lived experience to help shape a new Arts and Mental Health Framework for Scotland.

Supported by The Baring Foundation and Creative Scotland’s National Lottery funding, the framework aims to highlight the wide range of activity taking place at the intersection of arts and mental health while helping the sector develop a shared vision for the future.

Building on existing strengths

The framework is being developed in partnership with Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland and has been informed through consultation with Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and We Are Here Scotland. The project was launched at the end of June and seeks to bring together voices from across Scotland’s arts, health and wellbeing sectors.

Creative Scotland says the framework will recognise and celebrate the diverse work already taking place in communities, organisations and services across the country while identifying opportunities for greater collaboration and shared learning.

A collaborative approach

The framework is intended to be shaped by those working in the sector and by people with lived experience. Organisers are encouraging participation to help ensure the final framework reflects the needs, ambitions and achievements of the arts and mental health community across Scotland.

Creative Scotland has stressed that the framework should not:

• Undermine the excellent work already happening across diverse arts and mental health contexts
• Bring or impose assumptions about what is needed
• Make commitments or promises that cannot be kept
• Replace or have undue influence over existing services

Instead, it aims to:

• Understand the wider context of arts and mental health in Scotland
• Raise the visibility of stakeholders working in this area
• Celebrate the wealth and depth of work taking place, identifying the diversity of settings, approaches and participants involved
• Provide opportunities for stakeholders to meet and connect with one another
• Identify and share existing learning and good practice
• Develop a shared vision and direction for the future
• Explore opportunities for growth across the sector

Upcoming engagement events

Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland and Creative Scotland are hosting a series of online engagement sessions to gather views and ideas. Participants only need to attend one event.

• 2nd September 2026, 2pm – 3.30pm
• 18th September 2026, 10am – 11.30am
• 23rd September 2026, 10am – 11.30am

These sessions will provide an opportunity to contribute to the initial stages of the framework’s development and help shape a collective vision for arts and mental health in Scotland.

Find out more

Those interested in contributing to the development of the Arts and Mental Health Framework can book a place at one of the online engagement sessions or contact [email protected] to register their interest.

By bringing together the expertise of practitioners, organisations and people with lived experience, the initiative aims to strengthen collaboration and showcase the value of arts and mental health work across Scotland.