Six Organizations That Provide Healing Through Art Programs

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Bluebells With Butterflies, acrylic on canvas, 24″ x 20″ by Julia Underwood, www.jewellsart.co.uk.

There are many regional, national and international non-profit organizations that implement art and art-related programs in order to provide healing and well-being to individuals, communities, society and our environment. Their efforts serve the special needs of different segments of the population – from patients and staff members of hospitals to abused women, at-risk children and those suffering from loss among others. Many of these art-based organizations were established by art professionals. They also provide opportunities for artists to participate in their projects.

Over the years I’ve compiled a directory of more than 100 such organizations with art programs. In this article, I share a few. They are from my e-Book “Sell Your Art in The Healthcare Art Market.” Visit renee-phillips.com/downloads/art-in-healthcare-for-artists for more information.

Photo Art in Hospitals

When Elaine Poggi, a photographer from Florence, Italy, lost her mother to cancer, she turned her bereavement into a humanistic worldwide campaign and launched The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals HealingPhotoArt.org. The non-profit, publicly-supported organization is dedicated to placing colorful, soothing photographs of nature in hospitals around the world.

Photographers are invited to donate their art to this wonderful program. Learn how to submit your photography here: healingphotoart.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Contributing-Photographers-Program1.pdf

The Women’s Wisdom Initiative

This organization whose motto is “Heal, Connect & Empower Through Art” was launched by photographer Caroline Lovell. Its purpose is to help abused women use “the transformative nature of art to heal trauma from violence and to fight for gender equality.”  Through its “Traveling Postcards” initiative, it brings postcards to women and girls who have suffered from isolation, violence or repression.

Lovell invites you to get involved and create a post card, host a workshop or participate in its Facilitator Training to lead a workshop in your own community.

Learn how to get involved here: http://womenswisdominitiative.org/

Studio in a School

In 1977, Agnes Gund, philanthropist and President Emerita of The Museum of Modern Art, founded Studio in a School (www.studioinaschool.org). Its mission is “To foster the creative and intellectual development of New York City youth through quality visual arts programs” taught only by professional working artists who share their skills, creativity, and passion for making art. Mediums include drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, sculpting and photography.

The organization has developed a unique expertise in the field of arts education as the artists and students explore and create together. Learn how to join its teaching community here: studioinaschool.org/artist-instructor-multiple-positions-available

Women Eco Artists Dialogue (WEAD)

In 1996, Jo Hanson, Susan Leibovitz Steinman and Estelle Akamine created WEAD (weadartists.org) in response to increasing requests for artist referrals and for designing ecoart exhibitions and programs. WEAD is a powerful network that raises awareness about ecoart and connects feminist ecoartists, educators, curators and writers. Women who have a unique perspective in ecological and social justice art are shown on its website.

Registered Arts Professionals can create a WEAD Directory artist listing to share their art, artist’s statement and more. Learn how to become a member here: weadartists.org/membership-matters

Splashes of Hope

Since 1996, Splashes of Hope (splashesofhope.org) has been facilitating healing by transforming spaces with custom-designed murals and other artistic projects. Founded by Heather Buggée, the organization enriches the lives of patients, staff and visitors of medical and social service facilities worldwide. Participating artists collaborate with medical professionals, patients (when appropriate), facility staff or art therapists to discuss how to best serve the unique needs of each facility’s clients.

Artists can volunteer to design murals for hospitals or get trained to paint murals for locations across the country. Learn more at splashesofhope.org/artists.html

Bereavement Artists

The Bereavement Artists group was founded in 2011 by Colorado artists Teresa Dunwell, Gina Klawitter and Anita Larson to fill a need for the bereaved community to have a comprehensive, easy-to find resource of bereavement art services. Artist members represent a wide range of styles and mediums such as quilts to collages to keepsake ceramic urns.

Qualified members’ art is shown on the website. Learn how to become a member here: bereavementartists.com/artist-membership

I hope this blog has inspired you to delve into the many options you have to contribute your talent and the healing potential of art to make a difference in the world.

Renée Phillips, The Artrepreneur Coach, helps artists attain their fullest potential in private consultations, coaching sessions, articles and e-Books found on renee-phillips.com. She is also founder/director/curator of Manhattan Arts International and The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS. Follow her on Twitter @reneephillipsny, join her on Linkedin, reneephillipsartcoach, and on Facebook ReneePhillipsArtCoach.

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