UF Center for Arts in Medicine

08/13/2026

✨ Registration is OPEN for the 2027 Arts in Health Intensive!

Join us in Gainesville, Florida, January 26–29, 2027, for an immersive learning experience designed to connect artists, health professionals, researchers, educators, administrators and community leaders who are shaping the future of arts in health. This year we will be adding an optional Dance in Health Workshop onto the last day!

🎨 Arts in Health Intensive | Jan. 26–28
Explore evidence-informed approaches, participate in hands-on workshops, learn from leaders in the field and connect with a growing community of practice.

👯 Dance in Health Workshop | Jan. 29
Extend your experience with a one-day, hands-on workshop exploring movement-based approaches to arts in health.

Whether you’re new to the field or looking to deepen your existing practice, there’s an opportunity to learn, connect and bring new ideas into your work. We hope to see you in Gainesville!

📍 Gainesville, Florida
📅 January 26–29, 2027
🐤 Early bird registration is open!

Learn more and reserve your spot today: https://arts.ufl.edu/event/arts-in-health-intensive-2027/

UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine, UF College of the Arts

08/12/2026

🎨 Arts education is not optional.

It’s how young people process the world, develop their creativity, build connections and imagine their futures. Every student, in every community, deserves access to the arts.

As we look ahead to National Arts in Education Week, Sept. 13–19, join Americans for the Arts for the Every Student, Every Community: National Arts in Education Week Advocacy Webinar on Aug. 13 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. ET.

The webinar will explore why arts education matters now, from building creativity and collaboration skills to supporting cognitive and emotional development, civic engagement, and distinctly human creativity in the age of AI.

📅 Aug. 13 | 3:30–4:30 p.m. ET
📣 Register on Zoom: https://artsusa.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xS19gk2-QJuN4D7elFwFhA #/registration

08/11/2026

The August issue of The Atlantic Atlantic features research from our EpiArts Lab at the UF Center for Arts in Medicine! 📖📚

The article explores the changing landscape of reading in the U.S., drawing on EpiArts Lab research, a National Endowment for the Arts Research Lab co-led by our Research Director, Jill Sonke, and Professor Daisy Fancourt at UCL's Social Biobehavioral Group. An analysis found that daily reading for pleasure in the United States has declined by more than 40% over the last 20 years.

As the field of arts in health continues to grow, research like this helps deepen our understanding of how arts engagement, including reading, shapes health, wellbeing and everyday life. Share these findings with community leaders and policymakers to help advocate for investment in the arts!

Read the full article here: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/08/reading-crisis-postliterate-age/687618/?gift=X60PLjeH4Z1rXr3uDKGh9k3fWBQJfZCLj3xcez1Rcy8&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

Explore all EpiArts Lab research here: https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/epiartslab/home?authuser=0

Americans for the Arts, Florida Division of Arts and Culture, Bloomberg Philanthropies

08/07/2026

What happens when arts in health researchers and practitioners from 20+ countries come together in Edinburgh, Scotland? 🌏🧠🎨

A week of learning, collaboration, and new ideas at the 2026 Arts Health Research Intensive, all focused on advancing the future of arts in health. Delegates built lasting relationships with colleagues from around the world who are advancing research, policy and practice.

Read the full event recap: https://ow.ly/OaGc50ZxahE

Thank you to our partners, faculty and participants for making this year's Arts Health Research Intensive such a meaningful experience:
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 UCL Social Biobehavioural Research Group
🇱🇷 Jameel Arts & Health Lab
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 University of Edinburgh PATHS Research Group
💙 St Columba's Hospice Care

If you're interested in joining us for the 2027 Arts Health Research Intensive, you'll find a link to express your interest at the end of the blog.

Arts Health Research Intensive 2026: read our event recap Our latest course took us to Edinburgh, where we met delegates from more than 20 countries for a week of learning and connection. 28 July 2026 Between 8th – 12th June 2026 we headed up to Edinburgh for the Arts Health Research Intensive. Th...

08/06/2026

"When I create, I am free and happy." 🎨🧠🎶

Young people are telling us what they need: more accessible, youth-led arts opportunities in schools, communities, and healthcare.

Co-authored by UF Center for Arts in Medicine researcher Alexandra Rodriguez, PhD, MPH, this study found that young people view the arts as essential to mental health, social connection, stress relief, and personal growth.

Now it's up to policymakers, public health professionals, artists, educators, and communities to turn this evidence into action!

Read the study:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/410666688_'When_I_create_I_am_free_and_happy'_a_mixed-meth…

08/03/2026

Call for Events: UNGA Healing Arts Week 2026 🎨🩰🎭🌆

The Jameel Arts & Health Lab, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), invites artists, cultural & health organizations, researchers, creative arts therapists and community groups to submit events for UNGA Healing Arts Week 2026, taking place Sept. 19–26 across New York City's five boroughs during the United Nations General Assembly.

If you or your organization works at the intersection of arts, culture, and health, consider submitting a performance, exhibition, workshop, talk, public art project, or virtual program to join this global celebration showcasing the power of the arts to support healthier people and stronger communities.

Learn more and register your event here by August 31st:
https://www.healingartsnewyork.org/register-your-event

WHO Regional Office for Europe, Culturunners, NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

07/31/2026

We're excited to share an upcoming GRACE-Epi Monthly Methods webinar featuring Dr. Jess Bone, member of our EpiArts Lab, who will present "What Do People Do All Day?"

In this session, Dr. Bone will explore research methods for studying how people spend their time and what these approaches can reveal about health, wellbeing, and everyday life. Register to learn how time use research is advancing the evidence base for arts and health with one of the field's leading experts.

Can't make the live session? If the timing isn't ideal for our colleagues in the U.S., you can still register to receive access to the recording afterward.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/grace-epi-monthly-methods-what-do-people-do-all-day-tickets-1993920591163?aff=oddtdtcreator

National Endowment for the Arts, Americans for the Arts, Bloomberg Philanthropies, UCL

07/30/2026

How can artists help strengthen democracy? 🗳️🧑‍⚖️🎨

Join Creative Power, Civic Purpose: How Artists Strengthen Democracy, a free six-part virtual series exploring the vital role artists and culture bearers play in fostering civic health, strengthening democratic participation and building more connected communities. Throughout the series, participants will hear from leaders across the arts and civic sectors, gain practical tools and explore real-world examples of creative civic engagement.

Whether you're an artist, educator, researcher, community leader or advocate, this series offers valuable insights into how creativity can help shape a healthier, more engaged society.

Register today: https://forecastpublicart.org/creative-power-civic-purpose/

Forecast Public Art

07/29/2026

Two years later, the impact of Arts For EveryBody continues to inspire! ✨🎨

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re giving a special shout-out to the incredible organizations and community partners who made Arts For Everybody possible. Arts for EveryBody community partners, we’d love to hear from you: How have you continued advancing arts in health or creative community work over the past two years? Share your updates in the comments!

Launched in 2024, Arts For Everybody brought together artists, community organizations and partners nationwide to demonstrate how the arts can strengthen health, foster connection and support thriving communities.

We’re also revisiting the final evaluation report, which captures the stories, outcomes and partnerships that demonstrate the arts’ power to improve wellbeing and create lasting change.

Explore the full report:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64ad8ce16b5571091a245158/t/693724f0fc7a577411ff9e0c/1765221616124/ONOP_IP_12_05_25_compressed.pdf

National League of Cities
One Nation/One Project
UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine
Kenan Institute for the Arts
Chicago Department of Public Health
Marshfield Clinic
Urban Health Plan, Inc.
Everyday Bronx
City of Edinburg-Government
& more.