The University has co-led England's first globally recognised, city-wide, creative health programme

The city of Birmingham hosted Healing Arts Birmingham (HABrum) from 22 to 28 June 2026, delivered in a partnership consortium led by the World Health Organization, Birmingham City Council (BCC), Jameel Arts & Health Lab (JAHL), Ikon Gallery and the University via its Culture Forward initiative.

Across the festival, the University coordinated, delivered and supported a programme of over eight events as part of the festival, connecting our impactful research across creative health with communities, families, wider academia, cultural professionals, creative practitioners, and the public.

Activities included an Uli painting workshop and talk linked to the Beyond the Fattening Room project, an in-conversation event with renowned Black British photographer Vanley Burke, and a pinhole camera workshop led by HMP Birmingham Artist-in-Residence Niki Gandy.

The University also supported an arts, prisons and health symposium led by Ikon Gallery as part of its ongoing Arts in Prisons project, and a community-created audio tour celebrating the centenary of Birmingham's No. 11 Outer Circle bus route, developed by two University student interns.

The impact of the University's contribution to HABrum was evaluated by student Fay Carpenter (MA International Heritage Management) through a Collaborative Research Internship with Birmingham City Council's Public Health Team and JAHL.

Professor Sara Jones, Professor of Languages, Cultures and Societies and Academic Lead for Culture Forward, said: "The University of Birmingham was a proud partner in Healing Arts Birmingham. Our programme demonstrated how research partnerships between universities, communities and the cultural and creative industries are critical to making tangible improvements to public health and wellbeing.”

Alex Robinson, Senior Public Health Officer (Creative Health) at Birmingham City Council said: “Our partnership with the University of Birmingham’s Culture Forward initiative was invaluable in helping to convene partners, strengthen connections between sectors and deliver a vibrant programme of events during Healing Arts Birmingham 2026. We brought together organisations from across the culture, health, community and higher education sectors around a shared vision for creative health in Birmingham. The week showcased the scale, diversity and innovation of work already happening across the city, while creating new opportunities for collaboration and learning. Most importantly, it helped build momentum behind a growing movement, demonstrating Birmingham’s commitment to embedding creativity within health and wellbeing. Healing Arts Birmingham marked an important milestone, highlighting the power of cross-sector partnership and reinforcing Birmingham’s ambition to be a national leader in creative health.” 

Previously hosted in cities including New York, Barcelona and Singapore, Healing Arts is a global initiative produced by JAHL that delivers creative and cultural interventions designed to improve physical, mental and social health. With a particular focus on underserved communities, the programme combines scientific evidence, artist-led advocacy and capacity building to promote the integration of arts and culture into healthcare systems worldwide.

The success of HABrum highlights Birmingham's growing reputation as a leader in creative health, while demonstrating the important role universities, cultural organisations and communities can play in improving health and wellbeing through the arts.