The WHAT Centre for Arts and Health

The Multi-use Studio


The Conservatory

The Library
Photos by Hugh O'Brien Moran

In 2009, the first Centre for Arts and Health in the Republic of Ireland opened to the public.

The Centre grew from the former St. Theresa’s Unit in the grounds of Waterford Regional Hospital, which was renovated and expanded with ACCESS II, HSE and Arts Council funding.

The Centre accommodates WHAT’s participatory arts programme, research, training and information provision in the field of Arts and Health and art production and performance by professional artists. It contains a multi-use studio space which enables individuals and groups from Waterford Regional Hospital and the wider community to participate in the arts of all disciplines. The library and training space supports research, training and information by accommodating an Arts and Health library, advice clinics, training & mentoring programmes and seminars.  The artist’s studio supports the artist-in-residence programme through the provision  of a space designed and equipped to the highest standards to accommodate most visual arts practices. The artist-in-residence also has access to a digital darkroom in the building. The Centre is also the administrative hub of the organisation.

This Centre makes the artistic and educational resources of WHAT more easily accessible to the public, and supports the professional development of emerging and professional artists who choose to develop their practice in an Arts and Health context. It provides a space for use by outpatients and inpatients, staff, visitors, artists and the wider community that is not institutional, neither in its ambiance or appearance, but is a centre that is conducive to artistic excellence.