NSW Health Infrastructure Arts and Health Award

NSW Health Infrastructure Arts and Health Award announced

Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre and Tweed Regional Museum Recognised for Dementia Friendly Art and Culture Program

Museums & Galleries of NSW and NSW Health Infrastructure are proud to announce Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre and Tweed Regional Museum as the recipients of the 2024 NSW Health Infrastructure Arts and Health Award for their outstanding Dementia Friendly Art and Culture Program.

The award was presented at the IMAGinE Awards ceremony at Paddington Town Hall, and comes with a $10,000 cash prize to further support the project.

The project aims to enhance dementia-friendly programming through capacity building and inter-sector partnerships. This initiative will train cultural workers to deliver inclusive experiences for people with dementia and their carers, alleviating pressure on healthcare services. Building on a successful pilot, the program seeks to ensure long-term sustainability and set a model for future collaborations between cultural and health sectors.

Brett Adlington, CEO of Museums & Galleries of NSW, praised the program, stating:

“This project demonstrates the profound impact that cultural experiences can have on enhancing the quality of life for people living with dementia. It highlights the importance of collaboration between arts and health sectors to deliver meaningful, inclusive experiences, and we’re proud to support such an inspiring initiative.”

Emma Skulander, Acting Chief Executive of Health Infrastructure, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying:

The Dementia Friendly Art and Culture Program is an excellent example of how the arts can play a critical role in improving health outcomes, fostering innovation, and supporting communities across New South Wales.”

The NSW Health Infrastructure Arts and Health Award is aimed at supporting cultural organisations working in partnership with the health sector to deliver positive health and wellbeing outcomes for the community through arts and cultural projects.