The National Network for the Arts in Health (NNAH) has been established to share and extend information and resources in the rapidly expanding field of arts and health, writes Lara Ellen Dose.
It provides networking opportunities and facilitates appropriate links, seeking to ensure that through the use of visual, performing and multi-media arts, healthcare environments continue to be enhanced, and the experiences of healthcare users and practitioners continue to be improved.
The growing, active NNAH membership of organisations and individuals embodies the breadth and depth of the arts in health field. Members represent visual arts, creative writing, music, dance, drama - over 25 different art forms - in a myriad of settings from healthcare facilities to community projects. Members have access to news articles and updates of arts in health projects from around the UK and abroad. Through the Calendar of events they learn of forthcoming national, regional and local activities, to help them become more involved, or simply keep them inspired. As NNAH learns of new opportunities, these are passed directly to members.
Our interactive website serves as a hub of NNAH activity, providing information, resources and networking opportunities. Regular updates ensure the field remains informed. All information and resources found on the website are also available by request in either a print format or on CDROM.
We provide an expanding resource base:
? Our Membership Directory contains the contact names and details of all NNAH members, as well as the art forms used by them. Members can use this to create tailored arts in health networks by locating others in their area, or finding those with similar interests from across the field.
? The Funding Directory contains details of potential arts in health funding sources. While each will have its own funding strategy, this directory directs members to sources and offers other funding ideas such as local and corporate sponsorship.
? All working in the arts in health field have an opportunity to contribute to the Projects Directory. We capture information about arts in health projects, how each contributes to health and well-being, how they are financed, evaluated, and eight other key areas.
? An arts in health bibliography provides members with an increasing list of books, articles and videos.
Lara Ellen Dose is Director of the National Network for the Arts in Health. t: 020 7261 1317, e: info@nnah.org.uk, w: http://www.nnah.org.uk