Young people from across Northern Ireland were invited to the prestigious Stormont Long Gallery this week to showcase their art and creativity to mark 15 years of the Arts Care Twilight Zone Project.
The event saw eight young people between the ages of 12 and 18 gather at Parliament Buildings to present their artwork to a number of politicians and stakeholders, as part of the celebration of their work and the partnership between Arts Care and the Public Health Agency over the last 15 years. 38 young people engaged in the Festival and created artwork exhibited at both Long Gallery Stormont and at Ulster University in December 2025.
The young people, who live in Health and Social Care facilities across the country, also had the chance to hear about plans for the future of youth-led creative health work in Northern Ireland as part of its wider focus on young people’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
Also celebrating the success of the 15th Twilight Zone Festival “Flip the Script” were artists, health partners and policy makers as well as staff from Arts Care. The event was delivered by Arts Care in partnership with the Public Health Agency.
The showcase presented artistic responses developed through the Twilight Zone Festival, highlighting creativity as a vital tool for expression, connection and wellbeing. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the project over the past 15 years.
The Twilight Zone project is for young people living in residential care, aged 12 to 18, allowing them to explore several different art forms including visual art, filmmaking, digital art, music and photography. The project creates space for young people to explore who they are, express what matters to them and contribute to conversations about the services designed to support their wellbeing.
Arts Care Chief Executive Barry Macaulay said: “For fifteen years the Twilight Zone Festival has been about listening to young people and trusting them to express their experiences in ways that feel right for them. The work being shared inspired by this year’s theme, “Flip the Script” shows the power of creativity to give young people confidence, connection and a sense that their voices matter.
“Bringing this showcase to Stormont is significant. It places young people’s creativity and lived experience in a setting that reflects the importance of their contribution, not just to arts and health, but to how we think about care, participation and wellbeing across Northern Ireland.”
Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive, Public Health Agency: “Creating environments where young people within the healthcare system feel supported, heard and able to thrive is central to improving long-term health and wellbeing. What the Twilight Programme has demonstrated over the past 15 years is the powerful and positive impact the arts can have in helping young people feel motivated, valued and more confident in themselves.
“The Programme has created a unique space where young people can explore their creativity, find their voice, and build important life skills – all within an environment that supports and listens to them.
“Reaching this 15‑year milestone is a tremendous milestone, and it highlights both the success of the work to date and the need for continued support. The Public Health Agency is proud to support this partnership, and we look forward to the next chapter – one that brings even more opportunities for young people to shape their own stories and influence the future of care in Northern Ireland.”
The event was sponsored by John Blair MLA, who has supported the project and its focus on youth voice and creative approaches to wellbeing.
Speaking at the event, John Blair MLA said: “It’s incredibly impressive to see the work being done by Arts Care and the Public Health Agency. I commend all those involved in what they’re doing. The return on arts expenditure is absolutely massive in terms of social interaction, mental health, physical health, wellbeing, confidence building, the list goes on and on.
“It’s very important that we as MLAs lobby on your behalf to ensure that investment is sustained going forward, and hopefully increases as well. I am so grateful to see Arts Care working with the Public Health Agency to ensure that delivery is on the ground and benefitting young people.”
Arts Care is an arts in health and creative health charity founded in 1991. It works across health, social care and community settings to improve personal health and wellbeing through engagement with the creative arts. The organisation delivers participatory arts projects across Northern Ireland with people of all ages, supporting emotional wellbeing, connection and recovery through creative practice.
Further information is available at artscare.co.uk