Chicago Chooses 10 Local Artists for New Job Training Program That Bridges Arts and Health in Communities
The following is a review of the September 6, 2023 Article by Eunice Alpasan for WTTW Chicago:
WTTW News published an article titled Chicago Chooses 10 Local Artists for New Job Training Program That Bridges Arts and Health, which reports on a new initiative in Chicago that connects local artists with mental health clinics.
The initiative is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and will run from September 2023 to December 2024. The initiative aims to bridge arts, health, healing and wellness by creating a collaboration between arts and health professionals.
Ten Chicago-based artists have been selected to participate in the initiative. They will apprentice at one of the city’s mental health clinics and also complete a community health worker certification program at the City Colleges of Chicago.
The initiative hopes to empower artists and enhance trauma-informed and culturally responsive health services for residents, especially in communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This initiative is related to One Nation/One Project, a national initiative that uses the arts as a tool for healing and wellness in communities across the country. One Nation/One Project will involve artists, local governments, and community health providers working together to create participatory art projects that respond to a common theme: How do we heal? The projects will be premiered simultaneously in different cities and towns in July 2024, creating a sense of connection and solidarity among diverse communities.
One Nation/One Project is also funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and is partnering with the National League of Cities.
Key points from the article:
The city of Chicago has selected 10 local artists for a new job training program that bridges arts, health, and wellness.
The artists will apprentice at city mental health clinics and receive training to become certified community health workers.
The program aims to foster collaboration between arts and health professionals to improve the holistic wellbeing of communities.
Each artist will be contracted from September 2023 to December 2024 and receive a salary and benefits totaling $66,000.
The program is funded by federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It aims to empower artists while enhancing culturally responsive health services, especially in communities hardest hit by COVID-19.
The artists will be placed at five city mental health clinics across Chicago.
The program is a partnership between several city departments and organizations.
