Arts on Prescription: Three reasons why the Field Guide is a game changer
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of “Arts on Prescription: A Field Guide for US Communities”—a groundbreaking resource designed to help readers create this model of care in their communities. I developed this Guide in partnership with the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine and Mass Cultural Council, which launched the first statewide arts on prescription program in the US in 2020.
I led an evaluation of that program in 2021-22, and this Guide combines those learnings with best practices from community and public health… as well as emerging research from the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine. Together we’ve crafted the first roadmap for this work.
This is not an academic paper, and it’s not your standard report! It’s an incredibly user-friendly, down-to-earth, step by step guide that any community can use, packed with practical tools and resources.
3 quick reasons it’s a game-changer:
It Turns Ideas into Action.
As science reveals art's health benefits, I’ve heard many people say, “Wouldn’t it be great if doctors could prescribe music or art…?” What they don’t realize is that this is already happening. Far from merely a nice idea, arts on prescription is here, and YOUR community can create it, too. This Field Guide shows you how.
Whole-Person Health:
The WHO defines health as "not merely the absence of disease,” but “complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing.” (Read more about defining health here!) Unfortunately, health and social care providers haven’t had many tools to actually embrace this definition. Our current healthcare systems are primarily designed to address the absence of disease. They’re not set up to provide the kinds of experiences that deliver holistic wellbeing… that generate a sense of meaning, purpose, connection, belonging, or curiosity.
Arts on prescription changes this. It adds tools to providers’ toolkits that boost well-being and quality of life. Early models show benefits for both patients and providers!Breaking Down Silos:
To make real change, we have to think outside the boxes of specific sectors, industries, and roles. Health has never been created strictly inside clinics or pharmacies; it’s created by our environments, communities, and collectives. So if we hope to truly advance health, we have to connect the industries, sectors, and initiatives that affect whether humans can thrive. Arts on Prescription is part of this Connecting Work, and the Guide offers a roadmap for imagining partnerships and reimagining how we do health.
Interested? Here’s what you can do next!
DOWNLOAD: Seriously, get cracking on downloading this Guide! It's free, it’s easy to read, and to be honest, it’s lovely. (Have you seen it?)
SHARE: Post about this Guide, and send it to colleagues, friends, healthcare providers, community organizers—anyone who could benefit from a bigger way of thinking about health. BONUS: Simply sharing this Guide can ignite conversation and partnership; we’ve already seen it happen!
JOIN: If you’re interested in this work, sign up for my mailing list for updates and ways to get involved or learn more.
…AND THINK BIGGER
If you’re ready to dig in and create partnerships toward an arts on prescription program, I designed a hands-on course to guide you step by step: Think Bigger: Growing Your Impact through Cross-Sector Partnerships.
The truth is, partnering across sectors is the most challenging part of creating an arts-on-prescription program: Who could you even partner with? How will you initiate a conversation with them? What if they’re not interested? What if they ARE? What’s next?
To help you take action, this course walks you through my framework for partnership, and sets you up with plenty of practical tools and resources for the work. Learn more and ‘think bigger’ here.
Whoever you are, too can turn ideas into action. I hope you’ll grab the Field Guide, and then tell me how you’re igniting change in your community!