Healing Arts Lviv

From 20 to 27 July, Healing Arts Lviv will convene artists, educators, activists, health and social workers, government officials, and international organisations to demonstrate the power of art to respond transformatively to trauma.

The activation will include an educational school on trauma-informed art practices, professional networking, and mapping of Arts & Health initiatives to identify new strategies that can help build capacity in this field, as well as showcase arts projects created between 2022-2025 that demonstrate the power of art to respond transformatively to trauma.

Schedule

School on trauma-informed art practices – July 20-24

The school aims to deepen understanding of the role of art in dealing with trauma and to create a network of students, artists, activists, and cultural managers who will promote a trauma-informed approach in their fields, strengthening society’s ability to respond to trauma.
The programme will last five days and include lectures by Ukrainian and international experts, practical workshops, discussions, and facilitation sessions. The programme will be open to 35 participants, and preference will be given to those who can integrate the knowledge gained into their institutions, educational processes, therapy sessions, and other professional practices.

Congress – July 24, 25 and 26

The three-day strategic session will bring together 50 representatives of universities, medical and cultural institutions, as well as individual professionals working with the topic of trauma through art. The format includes experience sharing, small group work, facilitated discussions and practice presentations. The goal is to network, collect and systematise existing research, practices and policies in the field of Arts & Health in Ukraine to design a shared pathway to transform trauma care within Ukraine and beyond.

Application for participation is open until July 13.

Showcase – July 23-27

Concerts, performances, exhibitions, and special museum programmes — on 23-27 July, Lviv will host events that highlight the important role of art and culture in supporting physical, mental, and social well-being. A showcase of art projects will demonstrate the diversity of artistic approaches to dealing with the topic of trauma and engage a wide audience. It will be an opportunity for Lviv residents and visitors to spend a weekend to engage with spaces that support, inspire, and heal.

“We are very happy that such a project is taking place in our city, as our city has many initiatives focused on healing through art. We have valuable experience that we can share with the whole world. The event will bring together many professionals who will work together to develop even more new ideas and joint projects for the physical, mental, and social healing of people,”

Natalia Bunda, Lviv City Council’s Commissioner for Culture