Catherine Cassidy

Catherine Cassidy has created and directed Healing Arts Scotland together with the Jameel Arts & Health Lab team and organisations across Scotland. Catherine has over 25 years’ professional experience of using dance in a wide range of community settings, from health to education and reformation. In her 14 years as Director of Organisational Culture & Engagement at Scottish Ballet, Catherine has ensured that what audiences see and hear on the stage is what they will be participating with in their communities or dance studio. She has led the company to become specialists in dance health with Scottish Ballet launching as a National Centre for Dance Health in 2023. SB Health includes four projects for people living with neurological conditions, including, Dance for Parkinson’s Scotland, dementia-friendly Time to Dance and Elevate for people living with multiple sclerosis. SB Health also includes two projects for young people’s wellbeing, including The Close, for pupils in special unit schools, and the flagship programme Safe to Be Me, a schools' project supporting pupils to explore themes of identity, respect, acceptance, ethnic and family diversity, and LGBTQ communities.

Catherine graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1998 and worked both nationally and internationally as a choreographer, dance artist and producer. Catherine has undertaken the role of Specialist Advisor for the Arts Council of England, Creative Scotland and Imaginate Children’s Festival and is a member of the Board of Trustees for Motionhouse.