Arts on Prescription:
A Field guide
for US Communities
Arts on Prescription: A Field Guide for US Communities offers a roadmap for communities to develop programs that formally integrate arts, culture, and nature resources into local health and social care systems.
Arts on prescription programs allow healthcare providers and social service agencies to "prescribe" arts activities, cultural experiences, and time in nature to support their patients' or clients' health, wellbeing and quality of life.
I’m PROUD to have led the creation of this groundbreaking resource
with partners Mass Cultural Council and University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine!
FREE: click The image to download!
A few key features:
Centering Equity and the Community
A core aim of arts on prescription is to advance health equity by increasing access to community resources that support health.
To achieve this, our Guide emphasizes community-centered, collaborative work that draws on the voices and priorities of those most impacted by the program. It also emphasizes values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism, and provides practical strategies for ensuring programs are safe, welcoming, and responsive to all.
What local arts, cultural and nature resources could we refer people to, and what evidence supports their benefits?
How will we build partnerships between healthcare/social service agencies and arts/culture organizations?
How will we create streamlined systems for making and tracking referrals?
How will we evaluate impacts and continuously improve?
The Guide takes the reader through 4 key questions to drive program creation, offering extensive resources and recommendations:
Key questions
Our Field Guide spotlights real-world examples of arts on prescription programs in the US that reveal the feasibility and promise of these programs, and the diverse ways in which they’re carried out.
REal-world models
“...the medicine we need right now! An invaluable detailed and thoughtful tool rooted in racial equity and community self determination...”
“...set to revolutionize the integration of arts, culture, and nature into local health and social care systems...”
Early Reviews:
“A rich reservoir of new terms and evidence laid out in an easy-to-read format makes this ... an incredible gift to Project Jericho and all those like us who are advocating for increased arts access as a response to harm and suffering.”
“...the first how-to guide for communities eager to engage the arts, in all their forms, and cultural assets to meet the vital needs of neighborhoods.”
NEW COURSE!
I’m excited for you to explore arts-on-prescription in your community! I’ve helped hundreds of organizations bridge the arts and health divide to bolster wellbeing…
So to help YOUR arts on prescription efforts, I’ve packed what I share with my clients into a new comprehensive course:
THINK BIGGER:
growing your impact through cross-sector partnerships
Arts on prescription requires us to bridge arts and health… But partnering across sectors can be the toughest part of the work!
How do you figure out WHO to reach out to, HOW to communicate with them, and HOW to build on common ground? What if they don’t “get” you? What if your values don’t align?
This is what I help clients with all the time! And I want to help you too.
Think Bigger equips you with everything you need
to identify and connect with your program-building partners:
My proven 4-step framework for creating new partnerships
Clear activities to help you uncover potential partners… AND the specific value you offer them
Guidance and tools to prepare tailored messages that potential partners will resonate with
Strategies to build buy-in and navigate challenges that arise
AND...templates to streamline your work!
The Field Guide is a perfect beginning. And, as you dig in, you may want help to build partnerships that will get your ideas off the ground. This is what my clients come to me for—and it’s why I designed this course.
I’d love to help you take action. See you inside!
Work with Me
Planning an event? Book me for a talk or workshop here.
Looking for 1:1 support toward program development?
Let me help; reach out about consulting packages.
I’d love to support your work.
A FEW PIECES I’VE RECENTLY PUBLISHED:
I led the evaluation of ‘CultureRx”: The first statewide ‘arts on prescription’ model in the US:
You can access the peer-reviewed article here!
Grab the practitioner-friendly report!
Art is a critical source of health data. Check out this article!
People share experiences via the arts that they don’t or can’t share otherwise. This fact must inform and transform health research, health care, and policymaking. This article shares more.
Arts on Prescription is part of RETHINKING health. According to the WHO, it’s “not merely the absence of disease,” but “complete wellbeing.” This article dives into what this definition means for “health” and “healthcare.”
Arts and culture are “a necessary component to…advance individual and community well-being!” This article’s about leveraging local community referral networks to increase access to arts and culture resources for health.