Healing Arts Scotland Roundtable
1 February 2026, Scottish Parliament
At the Scottish Parliament, a roundtable looked at what a national arts and health strategy for Scotland could be, and marked the launch of Healing Arts Scotland 2026.
Organizers
Co-Chairs
Catherine Cassidy
Former Global Director of Healing Arts
Website
On the 1st of February 2026 arts, health and public policy leaders met at the Scottish Parliament to explore a national arts and health strategy for Scotland. The roundtable, sponsored by Patrick Harvie MSP, coincided with the announcement of Healing Arts Scotland 2026.
Chaired by Catherine Cassidy-Dedics, Former Global Director of Healing Arts, and co-led by Stephen Stapleton, Founding Co-Director of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, the roundtable heard from Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture; Sir Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland; Patrick Harvie MSP; and Manira Ahmad, Chief Officer of Public Health Scotland. Daisy Fancourt, Chair of the Lab's Steering Committee, and Nils Fietje, Co-Director of the Lab at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, joined online. The roundtable was convened and coordinated by Madeleine McGirk Rutherford of the International Teaching Artists Collaborative.
Gallery
Photos by: Sally Jubb
Gallery Carousel
Gallery Carousel Content-
Sir Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland speaking at the roundtable held at Scottish Parliament
-
Patrick Harvie MSP Green Party (host), speaking at the roundtable held at Scottish Parliament
-
Stephen Stapleton (Founding Co-Director, Jameel Arts & Health Lab) speaking at the roundtable held at Scottish Parliament
-
Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, speaking at the Healing Arts Roundtable
-
Room view of the roundtable held at Scottish Parliament
-
Room view of the roundtable held at Scottish Parliament
-
Lisa Sinclair, Head of Engagement at Scottish Ballet speaking at the roundtable held at Scottish Parliament
-
Nancy Riach, Arts Culture Health Wellbeing Scotland (ACHWS) speaking at the roundtable held at Scottish Parliament
Participants
Patrick Harvie MSP
Scottish Green Party
Angus Robertson MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
Sir Gregor Smith
Chief Medical Officer for Scotland
Stephen Stapleton
Founding Co-Director, Jameel Arts & Health Lab
Daisy Fancourt
Chair, Jameel Arts & Health Lab Steering Committee, University College London
Manira Ahmad
Chief Officer, Public Health Scotland
Nils Fietje
Co-Director, Jameel Arts & Health Lab, WHO Regional Office for Europe
Nancy Riach
Arts Culture Health Wellbeing Scotland (ACHWS)
Lisa Sinclair
Head of Engagement, Scottish Ballet
Madeleine McGirk Rutherford
Founding Managing Director, International Teaching Artists Collaborative (ITAC)
Catherine Cassidy-Dedics
Former Global Director, Healing Arts (Roundtable Chair)