Arts & Wellness

The arts are an effective and underutilized tool for creating healthy, thriving communities. They provide:

Connection
The arts are a proven economic driver, especially in Buncombe County. By fostering a sense of identity, belonging, and connection, arts-based programs attract visitors, residents, and businesses to the area.

Communication
Visual and performing arts are used to help us communicate complicated issues in simple, powerful, and moving ways. They aid in fostering social understanding and give voice to issues and people.

Care
The arts have the ability to soothe and comfort, making them a powerful tool for reducing stress and depression, and aid in the treatment of mental health and addiction issues.

Reports

New Report from the National Endowment for the Arts Shows the Arts Can Be Significant Tool in Fight Against Opioid Abuse

In its first-ever report addressing the nation’s opioid crisis, the National Endowment for the Arts finds that incorporating music into treatments for opioid use disorder can contribute significant, positive effects for patients. The report, Arts Strategies for Addressing the Opioid Crisis: Examinin…

Creating Healthy Communities: Arts + Public Health in America White Paper

With the public health sector as a primary intended audience, the Creating Healthy Communities through Cross-sector Collaboration white paper frames the value of the arts and culture for advancing health and well-being in communities. It offers examples and recommendations for expanding cross-sector…

Addressing the Future of Arts in Health in America

The arts have played and still do
play an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of individuals across their
life span and throughout the continuum of medical care.

The National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military

Strengthening the Health and Well Being of Service Members, Veterans, their Families and Caregivers Through the Arts

Arts & Wellness Classes for Veterans

Did you know that Charles George VA Medical Center (CGVAMC) alone serves 48,000 veterans each year? The 2017 census estimates report that 17,890 veterans live in Buncombe County, 7% of our total population.

Since 2017, the arts council has worked with the CGVAMC to provide arts-based programs aimed at reducing stress and promoting healing. Americans for the Arts reports that “2 out of 3 soldiers who have been treated with art therapy say it improved their depression” and “85% of military patients who have access to art therapy say it was helpful in their healing.”

Spring 2021 Classes

Music for Veterans

Feb 16 – Apr 20 | Tuesdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Classes will be held virtually in partnership with the PRRC.

Poetry for Veterans

Mar 23 – May 25 | Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Classes will be held virtually in partnership with the PRRC.

Pottery for Veterans

Mar 20 – May 8 | Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Classes will take place at Odyssey ClayWorks or virtually if necessary.

Join us in our efforts by supporting this program:

Donate

This program has been generously supported by: