A brand new online initiative has been designed to support the wellbeing of arts professionals in Ireland, with particular relevance during the present Covid-19 pandemic and consistent lockdowns.

'Surviving or Thriving?', curated by the Arts Council and Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT), aims to strengthen resilience, restore confidence and promote connectedness across the arts sector.

Covid-19 has had a profound professional and personal impact on artists and arts workers, with major structural impacts for organisations. A myriad of real-life examples of the effect the pandemic has had on artists' wellbeing were offered to the Arts Council for its Survive Adapt Renew report.

The programme features panel exchanges chaired by psychologist Dr Maureen Gaffney, with guest speakers from a range of art forms - including writer Anne Enright, musician Eleanor McEvoy and artist Austin Ivers. Follow-up workshops and online resources exploring self-care and wellbeing are also set to take place.

“These past 12 months have been extraordinarily difficult for people across the arts landscape," Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council, said.

"Alongside their own cares and concerns for family and friends, they have been dealing with the shocking cessation of activity and the resulting loss of income. We continue to support individuals and organisations through various schemes and initiatives, and we hope that this new programme with WHAT will provide further vital support to this brilliant profession.”

Recognising the need to break through the saturation of online events available, WHAT has been liaising with organisations such as Music Network, Visual Artists Ireland, Theatre Forum, Words Ireland, Create, Age and Opportunity, Minding Creative Minds and Dance Limerick to gain expertise and guidance in developing the programme and putting together a high calibre line up of speakers.

“The overwhelmingly positive response we have received over the course of planning Surviving or Thriving? indicates the need that exists for this type of support," Claire Meaney, Director of Waterford Healing Arts Trust, said.

"We are extremely grateful to all of the associate organisations who have so generously worked closely with us to present a strong programme which participants can engage with at different levels and which, we hope, will not only lift spirits but will nourish and encourage artists and arts workers to restore their confidence, foster their resilience and fall in love with their creativity all over again.”

'Surviving or Thriving?' takes place over three weeks from March 15 to April 1, 2021. Admission is free, but booking is required.

Further details and booking links for all events can be found here.