The Young Leaders in Arts and Health Ireland Summit 2026 is a two-day global event scheduled for September 2026 in Dublin. Co-produced by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), and the Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship, the summit will take place across two venues: RCSI and IMMA. The purpose of this event is to showcase youth-led innovation and explore how the arts can transform public health, amplify community voices, and drive systems change. It aims to build a global community where young people harness the healing power of the arts to address critical societal challenges, including mental health, trauma recovery, and climate change. This summit is important because it bridges the gap between creativity and clinical research, empowering young leaders to influence health policy and practice. By positioning youth voices at the centre of the conversation, the event fosters cross-sector collaboration and promotes evidence-informed care through creative engagement. It also aligns with the need to redefine wellbeing and break down stigmas surrounding health issues through culturally grounded arts initiatives. The target audience includes young innovators (aged 18–35), researchers, policymakers, artists, health professionals, and the general public. We anticipate attendees from youth organisations, universities, and health agencies. Event outcomes will be disseminated through diverse channels to ensure accessibility. These include academic poster presentations, policy conversations with health executives, live performances, and art exhibitions. Furthermore, insights and key learnings will be shared globally through digital campaigns and social media networks, ensuring the project’s impact extends beyond the summit to a wider lay and professional audience.
