Fourteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

The arts offer a powerful path for emotional healing from illness, isolation, crisis, or mental turbulence. The creative process invites an avenue of self-expression that can generate a cathartic release, as well as self-discovery. Additionally, art-making has also been shown to increase self-reported feelings of self-efficacy, self-esteem and well-being, which can be healing in the context of feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness that emerge as a result of a serious illness or life crisis (Kaimal & Ray, 2017; Karwowski & Kaufman, 2017). This paper will explore the psychological and neuroscientific impact of multi-disciplinary creative arts in community, especially its capacity to provide supportive relationships and hope, as well as yield specific changes in the brain, including the release of neurochemicals that can reduce anxiety, depression, pain, and create balance in the body through the relaxation response (homeostasis), which can increase resiliency (King, 2018). Specifically, this paper will explore how programs conducted by a California-based nonprofit organization The Art of Elysium uses multi-disciplinary creative arts, in over 28 major hospitals, foundations and special education centers, to reduce negative affect, providing increased subjective reports of well-being. This organization has partnered with creative artists in four disciplines: Fashion and Design, Film and Theatre, Music and Movement and Visual Arts to help medically fragile children, the homeless, elders, and those with mental illness and self-esteem needs. The Art of Elysium uses the arts as a catalyst for social change and an avenue for personal empowerment.