Arts Medicine restores vital linkages which have been lost in time connecting arts and medicine to health and healing. These connections were paramount in the past. In Greek mythology, for example, Apollo was God of Medicine and Poetry. The God of Healing was his son, Asclepius. Physicians would recite the Hippocratic Oath and thereby pledge allegiance to Gods who united the realms of art, medicine, and healing.
Today science is exploring the connections between expressive arts and healing by studying behavioral, psychological, brain, body, and chemical changes that can occur when the health intervention is art. Music therapy, especially, is very well studied.
From their own personal experiences, children and adults describe the qualitatively positive impact that
Arts Medicine interventions such as music, dance, drama and poetry has in enriching their lives. Medical schools recognize that arts and humanities programs for staff and students helps prevent "burn out." Research on this topic abounds.
The Museum of Modern Art in New York City offers adults with Alzheimer's Disease and their caregivers ongoing arts experiences whereby paintings are viewed and discussed which facilitates verbal expression, memory recall, and increased social interaction. Hospitals have arts in medicine programs knowing that the arts can help reduce pain, lower blood pressure, and ease distress among many other positive outcomes for patients.
The ancient wisdom of bringing together the forces of arts and medicine informs and inspires Arts Medicine for Hope & Healing. Science explores that powerful connection today.
For information on Research Studies please click the Americans for the Arts button below.
To learn more about the Arts Medicine Connection, please click on links below to the National Coalition
of Arts Therapies Associations, Creative "Righting" Center, The Institute of Poetic Medicine, Center for Journal Therapy, American Art Therapy Association, North American Drama Therapy Association, the American Dance Therapy Association, and American Music Therapy Association.