
BELFAST EXPOSED

HEALING
THROUGH
PHOTOGRAPHY
CONFERENCE
03-04 APRIL 2023 . VARIOUS LOCATIONS, BELFAST
HEALING THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY
CONFERENCE
Seeing Through A Different Lens
A two-day conference examining the use of photography to support those experiencing mental health.
Learn from industry experts and experience first-hand the work Belfast Exposed has been delivering in this field over the past 25 years. See the therapeutic benefits of photography and its processes brought to life. Get an insight into inspirational, real-life stories. Learn and develop new techniques and share your experiences with peers.
With keynote speakers at the Metropolitan Art Centre (MAC), the conference also gives you a chance to explore the Cathedral Quarter, the beating heart of the visual arts in Belfast. We want to make your experience as creative and active as possible. Through the conference’s creative programme, you get a chance to explore the galleries and vibrant street art situated around historic St Anne’s Cathedral and the bustling University of Ulster campus, as you’re guided between workshops and talks.
Over two days, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with 15 keynote speakers, 11 visual art exhibitions, 10 workshop/case studies, 6 artist talks and to take part in an adventurous sunrise photoshoot on Belfast’s beautiful Cave Hill and a Maritime walk. This unique combination is guaranteed to provide two fulfilling days you can’t afford to miss!
Programme
DAY 1
6:00AM
Sunrise Photography Workshop at Cave Hill
8:00AM
BREAKFAST at Victoria Square
9:00AM
Registration & Refreshments
9:30AM
Welcome & Film Screening, Deirdre Robb, CEO Belfast Exposed
10:00AM
Roisin McDonough, Arts Council NI
10:20AM
Cathal McNaughton, Pultizer Prize Winner
11:00AM
Networking Break
11:30AM
Noel Kelly, CEO Visual Artists Ireland
12:00PM
Jack Moyse, Photographer & Activist
12:40PM
LUNCH and Artists Talks
2:20PM
Anthony Luvera, Photographer
2:50PM
Pick'n'Mix Workshops & Case Studies
3:20PM
BREAK
3:50PM
Pick'n'Mix Workshops & Case Studies
4:20PM
Panel Discussion
4:45PM
CLOSE
6:00PM
'Maritime Mile' Photography Walk
7:00PM
Drinks Reception
DAY 2
9:00AM
Registration & Refreshments
9:30AM
Welcome, Deirdre Robb, CEO Belfast Exposed
9:45AM
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Tina Black
10:00AM
Darren Ferguson, CEO Beyond Skin
10:30AM
Professor Siobhan O'Neill, NI Mental Health Champion
11:00AM
BREAK
11:30AM
Damien Coyle, CEO Arts and Disability Forum
12:00PM
Dr Pamela Whitaker, Lecturer in Art Psychology, Ulster University
1:00PM
LUNCH
2:20PM
David Cutler, CEO Baring Foundation
2:50PM
Pick'n'Mix Workshops & Case Studies
3:20PM
Networking Break
3:50PM
Pick'n'Mix Workshops & Case Studies
4:20PM
Panel Discussion
4:45PM
CLOSE
6:00PM
Lagan River Walk
7:00PM
Conference Closing Drinks, The Dark Horse
Seeing Through A Different Lens
It is hard to ignore the issues surrounding mental health in our society and the problems associated with the chronic underfunding of our health services.
In The UK, two-thirds of people (65%) say that they have experienced a mental health problem. This rises to 7 in every 10 women, young adults aged 18-34 and people living alone. Individuals in Northern Ireland are 25% more likely to suffer from a mental health condition than those living elsewhere in the UK. It is also recognised that more people in Northern Ireland have died through suicide since the Good Friday Agreement than through the 40 years of the Troubles.
Mental illness can cast a long shadow on individuals, families and communities. We believe that tackling mental health in creative ways presents unique opportunities for healing and can have long-term benefits of providing coping mechanisms integrated into everyday living. We need to work together to achieve this.
To this end, we want to explore new ways of working and create a wider awareness of how therapeutic photography can support individuals and communities.

Key Themes
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Address key challenges facing mental health and how therapeutic photography can assist in the current mental health crisis.
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Bring together policymakers, photography and arts organisations, leading academics, and people with lived experience
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Discover the latest practices on creative healing
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Gain a greater understanding of international and national activities
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Identify mental health care gaps, and how to bridge them
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Explore lessons learnt through live case studies
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Hear from lived-experience speakers, and discover how we can use insight to co-design and improve the delivery of programmes.
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Provide a network of international collaborators
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Art Industry professionals who want to know more about using art to support mental health within communities.
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Professionals from health care sectors who are interested in non-clinical means to support the mental health of their clients.
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Photographers and Artists.
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Socially engaged artists.
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Students and academics exploring mental health and arts
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Communities wanting to explore alternative ways to support mental health
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Anyone with an interest in the subject
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Businesses who understand the benefits of supporting mental health in communities

Who should attend
- Mon, 03 AprThe MAC2-day conference examining the use of photography to support those with mental health conditions.

