Arts Keep You Healthy: Mind, Body & Spirit



A letter from our CEO, Kate Bolduc:

I’d like to introduce you to a new initiative that we’re championing called Mind – Body – Spirit.  Arts, particularly arts in Greater Hartford, have the ability to keep us healthy…mind, body, and spirit. Over the next year, the Greater Hartford Arts Council will begin to connect with our community in new and diverse ways, especially in the areas of healthcare and education. By engaging people in arts programming and activities, our goal is to promote health throughout the community.

• In these tough economic times, I often turn to the arts to lift my SPIRIT, as I firmly believe arts have the capacity to connect us with our common humanity and elevate our morale.
• Arts sharpen our MINDS by spurring creativity and resourcefulness.  Children who are exposed to art are more likely to become strategic thinkers and innovative problem solvers.
• Arts also affect our BODIES. Whether you take a dance class, play an instrument, or sit at a potter’s wheel, the arts combine physicality with creativity, enriching us with a sense of empowerment while reducing our stress.  In fact, a 2009 study found that by simply listening to music, you can decrease your blood pressure, lower your heart rate, and ease anxiety. Keeping our local arts and heritage venues thriving benefits Greater Hartford’s well-being, as well as our own.

For 39 years, the United Arts Campaign has supported more than 150 arts local organizations across 34 towns. Collectively, these cultural groups bring laughter, comfort, and rejuvenation to 5 million people every year.

Arts and heritage organizations depend on the United Arts campaign for vital operating support. Please show your support of United Arts this year, so that we can all keep Greater Hartford healthy and robust.  Pledge now to www.LetsGoArts.org/UnitedArts.

Thank you.

 
Let your workplace know about the United Arts Campaign: 

Watch a video about companies and people who care about keeping arts in Hartford healthy.

Arts Keep You Healthy Brochure

Arts Keep You Healthy Poster

Arts Keep You Healthy Tent Card

Download our editorial which appeared in the Spring Freetime publication.

Resources: 

The Arts in Healthcare

The Society for the Arts in Healthcare

The Future of Arts In Healthcare Green Paper

"Arts in Healthcare is a diverse, multidisciplinary field dedicated to transforming the healthcare experience by connecting people with the power of the arts at key moments in their lives. This Green Paper, submitted by the Society for the Arts in Healthcare, discusses the successes and future of this rapidly growing field that integrates the arts, including literary, performing, and visual arts and design, into a wide variety of healthcare and community settings for therapeutic, educational, and expressive purposes." (Source: http://blog.artsusa.org/category/healthcare/)

Hartford Courant, "Music, the Brain & Silence," February 28, 2010 

The Arts in Education

Americans for the Arts - Arts & Education in your Community
How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement
Arts and At-Risk Youth

This from one of our fans: "I am currently preparing for a summer program we run every year with a local autism organization. We want to teach that music can not only be a great source of fun but could have therapeutic benefits as well. I wanted to take a second and let you know that this page is very helpful. Another resource you should consider: www.zzounds.com/edu--musicautism, which has a really great collection of resources."

Local Partners & Resources

American Heart Association - Local Connecticut Chapter Events

>>>Art from the Heart Exhibit is open at the Gallery at Hartford Fine Art, 80 Pitkin St., East Hartford, CT through March 31st. This exhibit of Connecticut women artists benefits the American Heart Association, in conjunction with the Red For Women movement, which raises awareness in women about their risk for heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death among women. 20% of the sales from the show will be donated to the American Heart Association. 860-528-1409. info@hartfordfineart.com.

Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism - Arts Education Resources: ct.gov
Connecticut Art Education Association: caea.net
St. Francis Care - Integrative Medicine Center: stfranciscare.com 
CT Department of Education
   Dance
   Theater
   Visual Arts
   Music
Real Art Ways Public Art Installations

We are a proud supporter of the Artists in Transition Conference: Registration Closes 3/13

Article: "Fresh Approaches to Sparking Creativity"

Report: Arts Ripple Effect

Put Yourself in the Picture: Body, Mind & Spirit
Local resources that help YOU create art.

> Art & Soul Gallery & Studio: 10% off merchandise and classes; materials not included w/ Let*s GO Arts!
> Ballet Theater Company: 50% off first time enrollment for any Academy classes (children or adults) w/ Let*s GO Arts!
> Fuller Movement Center: $20 off all 10-class cards for yoga or pilates w/ Let*s GO Arts!
> LA Prajna Yoga: 25% off a single class and 1 free guest pass w/ purchase of 5-class pass w/ Let*s GO Arts!
> Sacred Rivers Yoga: 10% off 10-class card; 20% off 30-class card (new members only) w/ Let*s GO Arts!

Inspire yourself, body, mind and spirit! See a full list of Let*s GO Arts! member discounts here.

Do you represent a local arts or health organization that offers resources that are relevant to this page (art therapy, classes, workshops, research, etc.)?  Contact us at info@letsgoarts.org.