Arts on prescription programs allow providers to "prescribe" arts activities, cultural experiences, and time in nature to support their patients' or clients' health, wellbeing and quality of life. 

This field guide offers a roadmap for creating programs that formally integrate arts, culture, and nature resources into local health and social care systems.

TASHA GOLDEN / MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL / UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN MEDICINE

Art & Well-Being is for everyone who wishes to bring about a shift in our culture of health.

The USDAC published this guide for Citizen Artists who place their gifts at the service of healing, working for both individual and collective well-being, for those who recognize social justice as the foundation of a culture of health.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ARTS & CULTURE

NOAH provides transformational leadership to bring the field of arts in health together, and to move the field forward.

Their focus is on the future of arts, health, and wellbeing; and creating tangible impact from their goals and initiatives. 

The Porch Light program focuses on achieving universal health and wellness among Philadelphians, especially those dealing with mental health issues or trauma.

This manual provides an overview of the Porch Light program model and its implementation.

MURAL ARTS PHILADELPHIA

PHILADELPHIA DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY SERVICES

The purpose of this curriculum guide is to support teaching artists and facilitators in understanding the foundational concepts that guide Creative Wellbeing.

The authors hope this guide inspires more people to incorporate healing-informed arts-based mental health supports into their classrooms, programs, workplaces, and individual lives.

ARTS FOR HEALING AND JUSTICE NETWORK / LA COUNTY ARTS ED COLLECTIVE / LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH

This document presents a survey of current opportunities, examples and paths forward through cross-sector collaboration, with an emphasis on health and social connection.

It is meant to spark conversations about future possibilities for collaborative transformation. 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF STATE ARTS AGENCIES

Researchers combed hundreds of studies spanning 20 years to analyze the most rigorous data about the arts’ applicability to issues of substance abuse, addiction, recovery, and pain management. 

This Arts Endowment report offers hope through evidence-based resources about the arts’ healing power.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

On January 30, 2024, the White House Domestic Policy Council and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) co-hosted Healing, Bridging, Thriving: A Summit on Arts and Culture in our Communities, a first-of-its-kind convening to share insights and explore opportunities for arts organizations and artists to contribute to the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

In this blog series, you’ll hear from the many diverse perspectives represented at the event as they share what ideas and inspiration they took from the experience, and how they’re working to advance a broader understanding of how arts and culture can contribute to other fields and unlock new opportunities for artists.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS