THEATRUM ANIMI | Creative Europe 2026-2028
THEATRUM ANIMI is a cooperation project co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union (Grant Agreement No. 101255376). Running for 30 months, from March 2026 to August 2028, the project brings together nine organisations across seven European countries to connect theatre and mental health practice, share knowledge and develop new approaches to reducing mental health stigma.
Exploring the intersection of theatre and mental health across Europe
First Fortnight is proud to be a partner in THEATRUM ANIMI, a Creative Europe cooperation project bringing together nine organisations from seven European countries to explore the relationship between theatre and mental health.
Through collaboration between theatre practitioners, mental health professionals, researchers, artists and cultural organisations, THEATRUM ANIMI creates opportunities to exchange knowledge, share practice and develop new approaches at the intersection of theatre and mental health.
The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Creative Europe programme and runs for 30 months, from March 2026 to August 2028 (Grant Agreement No. 101255376).
Project Activities
Across Europe, THEATRUM ANIMI is creating opportunities for people to connect, participate and share learning through theatre.
The programme includes local theatre workshops with people with lived experience of mental health, international practice exchanges, and study visits in Helsinki, Dublin and Forlì. A European Community of Practice will connect practitioners and organisations working across theatre and mental health, creating a space to exchange knowledge, methodologies and experience.
Alongside this, a public awareness campaign will explore how theatre can open conversations around mental health, challenge stigma and create greater understanding.
The project will also support professional theatre productions created with people with lived experience of mental health. These will be presented locally and as part of an international tour reaching venues and festivals across Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic and Ireland.
First Fortnight’s Role
First Fortnight leads THEATRUM ANIMI’s public awareness campaign and audience engagement work (Work Package 3).
Our role includes developing the campaign strategy and creative direction, alongside digital and communications resources that can be adapted and used by project partners across Europe. Through this work, we aim to engage public audiences in conversations around theatre and mental health and support the project’s wider ambition to challenge mental health stigma.
First Fortnight is also hosting the THEATRUM ANIMI European Symposium in Dublin in October 2026, bringing together partners, artists, researchers and practitioners from across Europe for performance, conversation and exchange.
Project Partners
THEATRUM ANIMI brings together nine organisations working across theatre, mental health and the cultural sector in seven European countries:
ATER Foundation — Lead Partner
Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Arte e Salute
Bologna, Italy
Centro Diego Fabbri
Forlì, Italy
First Fortnight
Dublin, Ireland
L’Altre Festival
Barcelona, Spain
Plavo Pozorište
Belgrade, Serbia
Dejviska Produktion
Stockholm, Sweden
Taiteen Sulattamo
Helsinki, Finland
Prague City Theatres (Městská divadla pražská)
Prague, Czech Republic
Find Out More
Visit the THEATRUM ANIMI website to discover more about the project, its partners, activities and upcoming opportunities, and follow THEATRUM ANIMI on social media for the latest news and updates.
For enquiries about First Fortnight’s involvement in THEATRUM ANIMI, contact Cat Maher at comms@firstfortnight.ie.
About Creative Europe
THEATRUM ANIMI is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. Through artistic collaboration, research and international exchange, the project seeks to strengthen the role of theatre in supporting mental health, encouraging dialogue and creating more connected communities across Europe.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
