
The Balmy Army – Introduction
Ever been told to ask for help? Only to be told help wasn’t available.
Ever been told you’ve got a problem, but something inside you says, hmmm am not quite sure it’s JUST me?
Ever get the feeling young people’s mental health care could be so much better?
The Balmy Army is an art, activism and mutual care project for pissed-off young people.
Using art as our activism, we imagine and make real a simpler, kinder, easier to access mental health support and care.
Begun in Manchester 2022 young people, artists, madpride organisers, radical dreamers, disability justice inspired doers and everyone else trying to cope have come together.
Balmy Army have made process, actions, exhibitions, performances, films, zines, podcasts and disruption for Manchester International Festival 2023, Whitechapel Gallery (with Chisenhale Gallery) and Contact Theatre.
We are currently working in Manchester, Ukraine and more.
What we have made.
Balmy Army – Manchester International Festival, Summer 2023
Balmy London (formally 2.8 Million Minds) – Whitechapel Gallery, with Chisenhale Gallery, Summer 2023
Balmy London – MadHearts Conference, Spring 2024.
Balmy Army Exhibtion – Contact Summer 2024.
Bi-Polar Express – Contact, Autumn 2024.
Balmy Ukraine – with Art Therapy Force Spring/Summer 2025.
Balmy Army a takeover of Contact – Manchester International Festival. Summer 2025.
Balmy Army takeover Asylum Magazine – Summer 2025.
Content/What we’ve made.
Balmy Army – A Movement. For Manchester International Festival 2023
Balmy Army – Exhibition of the process, Action Lab and Space for Mutual Care. At HOME.