Art Block Session, 2025
Free, booking required.
Join us for a morning of discussion about the role that the arts and creative practice plays in supporting the wellbeing of children and young people.
Taking Art Block, the SLG’s dedicated space for children and young people, as a starting point, the event brings together research, practice and public health perspectives. Hear from ImpactEd about their year-long evaluation of Art Block, Dr Karen (Hei Wan) Mak from UCL on the relationship between arts participation, health and wellbeing, and Regan McDonald from Ikon Gallery on their Creative Health programme.
There will be opportunities for discussion, reflection and exchange with colleagues across the arts, youth, education and wellbeing sectors.
PROGRAMME
10:00–10:30 Polly South & Paul Crook, South London Gallery
10:30–11:00 ImpactEd
11:00–11:15 Break
11:15–11:45 Dr Karen (Hei Wan) Mak
11:45–12:15 Regan McDonald
12:15–12:30 Break
12:30–1:00 Q&A
1:00–2:00 Lunch & networking
Content guidance: Discussion will include children and young people’s wellbeing and access to creative and community spaces.
SPEAKERS BIO’S
Ciara Sims, ImpactED
Ciara Sims is a Manager at ImpactEd Evaluation where she leads evaluation and strategy projects with multi-academy trusts and education and youth charities. Her work focuses particularly on using evidence to improve outcomes for children and young people facing disadvantage, and on helping organisations turn evidence into practical action.
Dr Karen (Hei Wan) Mak
Dr Karen (Hei Wan) Mak is a Senior Research Fellow in Epidemiology and Statistics in the Department of Behavioural Science & Health at University College London. She is affiliated with the Social Biobehavioural Research Group, designated as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Arts & Health. Her research explores how social, cultural and community engagement is associated with health and wellbeing, alongside the barriers and enablers that shape participation in the UK and internationally. Her work also considers the implications of this evidence for policy and practice.
Regan McDonald
Regan McDonald is Public Health Research Officer at Ikon Gallery, where he works across art, research and public health as part of Ikon Creative Health. The programme explores the intersections of art, health and wellbeing through research, exhibitions, workshops and partnerships with artists, academics, communities and healthcare organisations. His work considers how art can contribute to health and wellbeing, while also providing a way to understand and question the wider conditions that shape our lives.
ACCESS
- Ear plugs, ear defenders, magnifiers and a wheelchair are available to use on request.
- This event includes some movement between spaces and venues.
- Seating will be provided throughout the event.
- Regular breaks are scheduled during the programme
- Presentation slides and video content may include bright projected images.
- Lighting levels may be reduced during presentations to improve visibility of projected content.
- The event will primarily consist of talks, presentations and discussions. Some audio from videos may be included.
- This is a relaxed event. Attendees are welcome to move around, leave and re-enter the space as needed.
- The event may feel busy or crowded at times.
- Subtitles will be provided for audio-visual content where possible.