Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2021

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF), led by the Mental Health Foundation, returns for its fifteenth year from 3-23 May.

The annual festival will explore the theme of ‘Normality?’ with a wide-ranging programme of online and outdoor events by people all over Scotland.

Access film screenings, performances, exhibitions, workshops, discussion events, and more at mhfestival.com. Events are free or available on a pay what you can basis.

What is ‘normality’? A whole year of lockdown has turned the world upside down, forcing us to re-evaluate what we think of as ‘normal’ life and ‘normal’ behaviour. Should things go ‘back to normal’ afterwards? Was the way we lived before ‘normal’ or was it damaging to our mental health? And if life does go ‘back to normal,’ who is likely to be excluded from that?

Programme highlights include:

International Film Programme: thirty seven titles – including six features – will be screened online via INDY On Demand throughout the three weeks, plus an online International Film Awards ceremony, workshops, and live Zoom Q&As. Book a festival pass for £15 / £10 concessions to access the entire programme.

My Normality: a series of artist commissions inviting artists of any discipline based in Scotland to create new work exploring mental health and the festival theme.

Gathering: a project led by SMHAF associate artist Emma Jayne Park, building the groundwork for a new mental health creative network.

Artist Discussions: with Katy Dye, Fadzai Mwakutuya, Skye Loneragan, Amble Skuse and more.

Writing Awards: in association with Bipolar Scotland, the competition offers first-time writers the opportunity to be published alongside established names.

Exhibitions: view diverse artworks developed and curated by See Me, Project Ability, independent artists, and arts and community groups from across Scotland.

Get involved and book tickets now at mhfestival.com.