Raphael will be In Conversation with creative health pioneer Dr Rebecca Gordon-Nesbitt, in a free to the public event at London’s The Social on Friday, November 29th.

When I first started writing, I knew that watching cool movies, reading well-written books and listening to a great piece of music brought me joy. And I wanted to somehow find a way to spread that joy, by pointing others to what I was watching, reading and listening to. I grew up in what my parents called “a bohemian” household which meant that the arts we absorbed and talked about during dinners and outings meant more to our family dynamics than owning big cars or flashy jewelry.

So this correlation between what we watch and how we feel, what we read and how we interact with the world etc. has always been a no-brainer to me. But it was a complicated thing to explain to others. When I was writing for the HuffPost, back in the naughts and beyond, I called myself a “Cultural Activist” which brought me lots of scorn, contempt and even the occasional insult from the non-believers.

Then, one lovely late spring day last year, I was connected with a kind editor, someone who not only shared my ideas about the arts being good for us, but made it a life mission. With CULTUR.art, I found an outlet that not only understood my thinking but made art an important part of our collective health and well being. Their mission, which is stated on their About page, reads:

“We are a creative health charity that is bringing art to more people. Engaging with the arts is extremely important for our mental health, and art is for everyone. We are breaking down entry barriers, showing you how easy it is to engage with art whether that be digitally, or in person.”

Fast forward almost six months, and I’ve been a part of something as cool as it sounds which now finds itself, and all the cool humans who work for CULTUR.art, on the eve of hosting an event open to the public, which promises to change the way those attending will think of the arts. Because going to watch a good film, or walking into one of the many free art institutions open around the world, means adding a few hours, maybe even days to our lives. Joy brings longevity and it can be achieved by simply exposing our eyes to something beautiful.

On Friday, November 29th, CULTUR.art will present legendary Music Producer Gordon Raphael (The Strokes, Regina Spektor, The Libertines) & Creative Health Pioneer Dr Rebecca Gordon-Nesbitt of King's College London in conversation about the fascinating reasons why arts and creativity are so good for us. 

Legendary music producer Gordon Raphael’s work with The Strokes, The Libertines and Regina Spektor made him the producer behind some of the most iconic indie and alternative music of the 2000s. Helping these once in a generation artists sell millions of records in the process. Gordon’s incredible music career has included everything from producing hit anthems for The Strokes like Last Nite, Reptilia, Someday, 12:51 & Hard to Explain, being on The Libertines’ tumultuous first ever tour and discovering Regina Spektor to being at the heart of the 90’s Seattle grunge scene.

Pioneering creative health consultant Dr Rebecca Gordon-Nesbitt wrote the influential Creative Health report which gave the field its current name. Rebecca’s research shows how creative health approaches can boost our health and wellbeing and tackle economic and social disadvantage. An Associate Research Fellow at King’s College London, Rebecca has worked with Parliament, the Greater London Authority, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, London Arts and Heath and many others to advocate for how we can unlock the health and wellbeing benefits of creativity, culture and heritage in our daily lives.

The event will take place at The Social, which is at 5 Little Portland Street in W1W central London. To get your free tickets, please click on this link click on this link and remember, the best things in life are free!

Images courtesy of CULTUR.art, used with permission.