Austin, Creative Action Unite To Connect Art With Mental Health

Austin TX

15 June, 2021

2:00 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — The city of Austin has partnered with Creative Action to launch a program that connects artists impacted by the pandemic to promote positive mental health. The city and local arts education nonprofit launched Austin Safely Creates on Monday. The program is made up of a community-wide education and awareness campaign that centers art-making as a way to foster positive mental health, build community and inspire hope, officials said. The program is a result of the Austin City Council resolution that created the Austin Civilian Conservation Corps (ACCC) in May 2020. That program employed teaching artists who lost employment or income due to COVID-19 and engages them in the creation of community-enhancing artwork. "This program is an innovative effort to help our creative sector get through these challenging times," said Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Acting Director for the Economic Development Department "This pandemic impacted many industries, but as a city known for its creative spirit, the hit to our local artists is felt particularly deep. Our artists are a core part of Austin's identity and an essential part of our long-term recovery." All campaign activities from the Austin Safely Creates program are led by professional artists and will engage community members of all ages in interactive art-making, self-expression, and healing around the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said. Officials said they chose to create the program since research studies have proven engaging with the arts promotes mental and emotional well-being. "Mental health was already an issue prior to COVID-19. Now, add the recent challenges of the pandemic and it's clear we need to think differently when it comes to how we engage our minds," said Sarah Rinner, Chief Program Officer at Creative Action. "The arts offer an evidence-based solution for promoting well-being and mental health. Our goal with Austin Safely Creates is to support artists' mental health through employment and foster hope and empowerment, two key ingredients for mental and emotional well-being, for the larger community." For more information about the program and how to participate, visit creativeaction.org/austinsafelycreates.