LexArts: Arts and Health
The arts’ impacts on health and well-being can be seen at all stages of life. From early childhood through adolescence and youth, arts education can support the social and emotional needs of students, helping them better cope with their feelings, bounce back from adversity, and show tolerance and compassion for others. For older adults, greater frequency of arts participation has been linked to positive health outcomes. Creative arts therapies and arts-in-health programs can help address specific physical and mental health conditions and can improve the quality of life for patients and their caregivers. In cities, towns, and neighborhoods, meanwhile, arts-based strategies can contribute to greater social cohesion, health equity, and community well-being. – National Endowment for the Arts
LexArts seeks partnerships with artists and organizations working within arts and health.
Funding is available for projects that impact health and wellness through the arts.
LexArts and the Arts and Health Alliance of Central Kentucky promote and integrate the arts into healthcare settings to enhance the well-being of patients, caregivers, and communities. The Alliance advocates for the use of arts in healing, providing resources and education on the benefits of arts in health, and fostering collaborations between artists, healthcare providers, and community organizations and strives to create a more holistic approach to healthcare that recognizes the importance of creativity and expression in promoting health and healing.
At this time, LexArts is providing small-scale funding opportunities, in amounts of $1,000 or less.
LexArts hosts a free annual Arts & Health Symposium to promote collaboration and inspire innovative approaches to health and healing through the arts!
The 2025 Arts and Health Symposium, hosted by LexArts in partnership with the Arts and Health Alliance of Central Kentucky and CHI Saint Joseph Health, was a free community event to bring together artists, healthcare professionals, researchers, and community members to explore the connection between the arts and well-being. Through expert presentations, interactive workshops, and engaging discussions, the symposium highlighted how creative practices can support mental, emotional, and physical health and well-being across diverse settings.
ABOUT: Arts and Health Alliance of Central Kentucky (AHA)
Mission: To promote and integrate the arts into healthcare settings to enhance the well-being of patients, caregivers, and communities.
Vision: To advocate for the use of arts in healing, providing resources and education on the benefits of arts in health, and fostering collaborations between artists, healthcare providers, and community organizations. The Alliance strives to create a more holistic approach to healthcare that recognizes the importance of creativity and expression in promoting health and healing.
LexArts has created a local arts in health council comprised of representatives from different health institutions and artists interested in working in the healthcare environment. The arts in health council meets monthly to share arts programming ideas and plan arts engagements with staff and patients of healthcare partners. This program is made possible by a grant from CHI Saint Joseph Health.
