MA, PG Cert, PG Dip Art, Health and Wellbeing

In a world that needs people to stay well, recover faster, manage long-term conditions, and experience a better quality of life, art professionals have never played such a central role - tackling physical, mental and social wellbeing as well as considering all forms of human productivity, strengthening local relationships, and building strong communities through art-based interventions and creative approaches that are connected, shared, and intelligent.

At ARU, you’ll work closely with students from across the Cambridge School of Art [link Cambridge School of Art], including the postgraduate students from Human-Centred Design and Interior Design Innovation on an industry-led collaborative project and deliver public-facing events.

As an Art, Health, and Wellbeing student in Cambridge [Link Cambridge Campus page], you’ll be able to work in a start-up environment and a relaxed culture in which creativity and creative problem solving are valued and build strong relationships and freely exchange thoughts and ideas.

Most importantly, you’ll receive support and guidance from our experienced staff who, as well as running their own studio practice, have worked with companies such as the NHS, Prepared International, Nebama Mind, World Health Organization, and World Humanitarian Forum.

The creative freedom offered by the course results in a variety of degree outputs based on art futuring, ideas and methods for creativity as an expanded ethical and professional practice, from social prescribing and increasing human connectivity, to overcoming fear, pain, anxiety, depression and stress.

Talks from visiting lecturers and live briefs from industry are built into our course. They focus on areas including participatory research and practice, digital health, social design and sustainability, interactive storytelling and digital technologies, care systems and future health.

We'll encourage you to build your profile by entering national and international competitions, as well as taking part in our own competitions such as the Sustainability Art Prize, the Arts and Wellbeing Award, and the British Council Venice Biennale Fellowship award.

You'll have the chance to develop a business plan and pitch for start-up funding through our annual competition, The Big Pitch, and you can get involved in our Art & Care series of research talks and other and creative events.

Course Leader: Dr Elena Cologni