Surviving or Thriving? is six-part online series of events that aims to support the wellbeing of arts professionals in Ireland, particularly in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Surviving or Thriving? has been developed by Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT) in partnership with the Arts Council. The series aims to strengthen attendees’ resilience, restore their confidence to move forward in their professional lives, and to promote connectedness across the arts sector. It was produced by WHAT in association with key arts organisations working across a number of artforms and disciplines in Ireland.

This reflective and stimulating programme will comprise of artform specific panel discussions chaired by psychologist and broadcaster Maureen Gaffney, follow up self-care artist-led workshops and a suite of online wellbeing resources. Panel discussions will also be made available as podcasts.

Each element will seek to inspire and support listeners and viewers and participants, while also acknowledging current challenges and realities for arts professionals at this time in Ireland.

Surviving or Thriving? was initiated by the Arts Council in response to the cessation of arts activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has had a profound professional and personal impact on artists and arts workers, and major structural impacts for arts organisations.

Artists and arts workers from across the arts sector in Ireland provided a myriad of real-life examples of the effect the pandemic has had on their wellbeing to the Arts Council for its report Survive Adapt Renew. Among its recommendations the report included commitments to building resilience, inclusion and sustainability in the sector as it faces into the future.