This publication builds upon the ‘Mobility Webinar: Mental Health, Well-Being and International Cultural Mobility’, which examined the impacts of international cultural mobility on the mental health and well-being of artists and culture professionals. It also follows recent online and in-person initiatives led by On the Move members to explore the positive and negative impacts of international cultural mobility on mental health and well-being.
Numerous studies and cultural initiatives, at local, national, and European levels, have explored the diverse ways in which the arts and culture contribute to the well-being and overall health, including mental health, of the population. Extensive research has provided robust and tangible evidence of how the sector bolsters the sustainability and resilience of societies, especially when engaging with vulnerable communities. Yet, the well-being and mental health of the creative workforce itself remain significantly under-researched.
Additionally, cross-border mobility, frequently regarded as a vital aspect of a professional career, can add pressure to artists and culture professionals as they navigate its complex paradoxes and tensions: balancing professional obligations with personal life while regularly travelling far from home and family, striving for financial stability while remaining reliant on foreign gatekeepers and funders, applying for international opportunities while facing visa denials, or seeking refuge in a safer country yet lacking the status or knowledge to operate effectively in a new environment.
The first chapter presents an analysis of calls for cultural mobility opportunities posted on the On the Move website since January 2020. The data therefore concentrates on funded programmes, generally one-off calls or calls related to temporary or shifting programmes rather than permanent ones, which are separately listed in On the Move’s mobility funding guides.
The second chapter builds upon the contributions provided by key experts during the webinar and in additional interviews, with the aim of better identifying the challenges met by artists and culture professionals, while presenting existing practical guidance and local initiatives.
The third chapter summarises evidence from recent literature on the mental health and well-being of artists and culture professionals. It places particular emphasis on the risks and stressors arising from limited access to, the management of, and the practical challenges associated with transnational mobility.
Ultimately, the publication provides recommendations to all culture stakeholders, to European Union institutions, and to local, regional and national authorities.
