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The World Association of Cultural Psychiatry is inviting submissions of a 4000 word essay about an arts-based project that contributes to a greater understanding of mental health/illness. The winning essay will receive a £300 prize and will be considered for inclusion in a special publication produced by the Association. The selected project or series of initiatives can be in any given cultural context. (e.g. an arts-based prevention, advocacy, research, and/or healing project).

The latest research on the impact of culture on major global cities has been produced. The World Cities Culture Forum, which includes 22 cities including London, highlights the widespread acknowledgement that culture is central to a city's health and economy. It also notes the particular impact of culture on regenerating communities and connecting all residents in a city. The report pays tribute to the impact culture has had on community development and wellbeing in cities such as Bogota and Johannesburg.

The American Global Alliance for Arts and Health is inviting the submission of abstracts to present at its 2014 Annual International Conference. Abstracts should relate to the conference's theme of "Enhancing Lives Through Arts & Health" and fall into one of the following five focus areas:

• Caring for Caregivers 
• Community Well-being 
• Education 
• Healing Environments 
• Patient Care

The deadline to submit an abstract is January 17^th. Notifications will be made by email in February 2014.

Americans for the Arts have issued a comprehensive publication exploring the ways in which the arts can support current and ex-servicemen and women. The publication, 'Arts, Health and Wellbeing Across the Military Continuum’ outlines the research that has thus far been undertaken into the impact of the arts on health problems like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. It also includes practical guidance for setting up arts activities with veterans and calls for changes in military policy to better integrate the arts into health and care for the services.

Australia’s Health Minister has formally endorsed the country’s National Arts and Health Framework. The endorsement follows the support received earlier this year by the Cultural Minister and means that the arts and health sector has now received state, territory and federal backing. The Australian Institute for Creative Health which supported and coordinated the development of the framework celebrated the formal endorsement. The Institute’s Chairman, Michael Brogan, said ““A national framework signals what we are trying to do in arts and health as a nation.

The International Academy for Design & Health  has issued a call for papers for the 10th Design & Health World Congress & Exhibition in Toronto, Canada in July 2014. Researchers and practitioners from around the world are invited to submit 400 word abstracts by 15 November, 2013 for selection by the Academy's scientific committee on the following topics: