Winston-Salem & Forsyth County selected as one of 18 Arts for EveryBody Communities
One Nation/One Project’s Arts for EveryBody initiative is set to unveil a series of participatory public art projects in 18 cities and towns across America on July 27, 2024. This ambitious undertaking is inspired by the 1936 Federal Theatre Project and focuses on the theme 'No Place Like Home.' Each participating site will reflect its community's unique voice and seek to improve its overall health through artistic engagement.
Key collaborators in Winston-Salem include the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County, the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts at UNCSA, and several local health and community development organizations. They aim to enhance community connection through public art and performance, emphasizing civic practice.
Kevin Bitterman, executive director of the Kenan Institute for the Arts at UNCSA, highlights the importance of art and wellness collaborations, especially during challenging times. The Winston-Salem & Forsyth County site team has worked with a community advisory committee, focusing on partnerships between municipal leadership, health centers, local artists, and communities impacted by the pandemic.
Chase Law, President and CEO of the Arts Council, emphasizes the critical role of arts in community health and well-being. The project, supported by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, aims to aid in the community's recovery and healing.
Activities in Winston-Salem & Forsyth County include community murals, transforming health centers with art, and various community-based art projects. The site team is also participating in research led by Dr. Jill Sonke from the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine, exploring the use of creative arts in wellness.
Lashun Huntley, CEO of United Health Centers, underscores the importance of addressing health disparities, particularly in marginalized communities worsened by COVID-19.
Arts for EveryBody, co-directed by Lear deBessonet, Nataki Garrett, and Clyde Valentin, aims to highlight the significant impact of arts on community health. They aspire to create a new awareness of the arts' value in health and community connectivity.
The initiative is supported by research showing the substantial health benefits of arts participation, including a 63% lower risk of dementia, benefits comparable to weekly exercise, improved physical and mental health, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Arts for EveryBody has also commissioned new studies to explore further the connection between arts participation and community health."
For more detailed information and insights into this inspiring project, I invite you to read the full article at Yes! Weekly.
