Borderlands Theater Awarded 100k To Participate In One Nation One Project
An article from Broadway World and A.A. Cristi discusses the involvement of Borderlands Theater in the One Nation One Project (ONOP) initiative, which aims to leverage the arts to enhance community wellness and overall societal health. This initiative is predicated on the theory that integrating arts into communities contributes to healthier individuals and societies. As part of this national effort, Borderlands Theater in Tucson is one of 18 cities conducting research to substantiate the impact of arts on well-being.
ONOP represents a national arts and wellness initiative that seeks to mend the social fabric of the nation and heal communities through the arts. It involves collaborations among artists, local governments, and community health providers to foster equitable recovery and improved wellbeing in communities across the U.S.
Drawing inspiration from the Federal Theatre Project of 1936, ONOP plans a synchronized premiere of distinct, collaborative artworks across the U.S. in July 2024, under the theme #NoPlaceLikeHome. Borderlands Theater will participate with a series of theatrical presentations culminating in a theatrical event and a community pool party.
The initiative also emphasizes the concept of social prescribing, where healthcare providers recommend nonclinical community activities to improve health and well-being. This approach focuses on social determinants of health, aiming to address more than just medical symptoms. Activities under social prescribing typically address issues like social isolation, housing insecurity, and encourage physical and creative activities. These programs generally involve care providers, "link workers" (who connect patients with local resources), and a funding system for these services. Several models of this collaboration are being piloted in the U.S., involving healthcare and arts organizations, with funding from health insurance providers.
