SMHAF are delighted to be partnering with Healing Arts Scotland to host a panel about Performing Anxiety, an ambitious new good practice resource from the Mental Health Foundation, and the team behind the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival.  

Performing Anxiety was created as a response to a significant increase in the number of artistic projects explicitly addressing mental health and is a resource for anyone who wants to make live artistic work about mental health, from autobiographical shows about anxiety and depression to participatory projects working with vulnerable people. The panel will feature some of the artists involved to discuss the impact of making public facing work about mental health and explore best practice. 

Panel Contributors: Gail Aldam, Arts and Events Manager, Mental Health Foundation (Chair),Laura Horton, playwright, Skye Loneragan, writer/performer and theatre director, Ross Mackay, writer and theatre maker. 

Performing Anxiety exists in various forms including – a five-episode podcast, a 60-page publication, two specially commissioned written provocations by theatre maker Selina Thompson and artists & activist the vacuum cleaner, a set of evolving food practice guidelines, and a series of interviews with artists, all available from www.mhfestival.com/performinganxiety.  

The panel is part of Healing Arts Scotland Glasgow Day which will feature a range of dynamic and participatory events bringing together communities, researchers, and academics to celebrate and debate the role of the arts in health.  

Hosted by Scottish Ballet, Tramway, and the Hidden Gardens this unique gathering will feature a rich tapestry of presentations, talks, participatory workshops, panel discussion, music, dance, movement, art and poetry. 

From grassroots community groups to international delegates and experts,  Healing Arts Scotland in Glasgow offers a platform to share knowledge, and practice whilst forging meaningful connections and encouraging positive change and social impact. 

The Healing Arts Scotland Glasgow Day runs from 9.30am-4pm on Wednesday 21 August 2024 | 25 Albert Dr, Glasgow, G41 2PE.   Programme and further details available here.