ART AS THERAPY

Faced with declining skills and increased isolation, maintaining connections to the world becomes increasingly important to the elderly. The arts can provide opportunities for improved self-awareness and communication. Issues such as loss, illness, depression, and restoration of hope are addressed through therapy in the arts. According to a National Endowment for the Arts concept paper, NEA studies show that incorporating the arts into health care benefits patients and caregivers. Art-related activities in nursing facilities, hospitals, and hospices can help patients relax, socialize, find solace, express grief, loss, and other emotions, and help rejuvenate caregivers experiencing depression, fatigue, and burnout. 

The Riverside Arts Council has partnered with Riverside University Health Systems Foundation and the Department of Public and Social Services to create an Art as Therapy program for youth in foster care. The program includes regular arts programming at the Welcome Center in Banning, which houses 12 children. RAC is expanding the program to provide this service to youth in foster care who have been placed in homes throughout Riverside County. Children of any age benefit from exposure to the arts, and in most cases, parents can provide their children with art in some capacity, whether it be books, art supplies to create artwork, or even television and radio. Youth in foster care are not always offered the same opportunities. 

The Riverside Arts Council's partnership with Riverside University Health System includes participation in the Birthday Circle. Riverside County is home to over 5,000 kids in care, and some foster youth rarely, and others never, receive a birthday card or note on their birthday—until now! The Riverside Arts Council is working with local artists in the community to provide original artwork for birthday cards for the Birthday Circle. Each month, approximately 40 children in care receive an original card to help make their day special.