On Monday, May 12th, Polk County took a visionary step forward with the official launch of the
Polk Arts & Health Collaborative (PAHC), a new cross-sector alliance dedicated to enhancing individual and community well-being through the integration of arts and health. Modeled after the national NeuroArts Blueprint, a groundbreaking initiative from Johns Hopkins University and Aspen Institute, PAHC seeks to position Polk County as a leader in this emerging field beginning with a Lakeland Chapter. The
Watson Clinic Foundation’s Arts in Medicine program is pleased to serve on the forefront of this exciting new alliance.
“We are proud to align our local vision with the momentum of the national NeuroArts movement,” said Tiffany Van Wieren, the Watson Clinic Foundation’s Arts in Medicine Program Coordinator. “This collaborative will amplify existing efforts while also inviting new partners to explore how creative expression can support healing, resilience, and connection in our community while also elevating the research behind this movement.”
Joining the Watson Clinic Foundation’s Arts in Medicine Program in cultivating this initiative is the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, Florida Southern College, Lakeland Vision, Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, Orlando Health, Mayor’s Council on the Arts, and the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance.
The launching of PAHC follows the debut of the NeuroArts Blueprint Resource Hub, a new online platform that offers open-access tools, research, and best practices for communities and organizations interested in the integration of the arts into health and social care. This powerful resource serves as a guiding light for the work of PAHC and its partners as they build a more creative and connected approach to wellness across our community.
The initial phase of PAHC will focus on identifying programs, individuals, and institutions currently integrating arts and health throughout Polk County. The mission of PAHC will not only recognize existing work but will also serve as a gateway for curious individuals and organizations to learn about NeuroArts and to join the collaborative, sparking fresh initiatives and innovative partnerships in previously unengaged sectors.
If you’re an organization or individual with interest in joining the collaborative, please contact Tiffany Van Wieren at 863-603-4718 or through email at AIM@WatsonClinic.com. For more information on PAHC, visit PolkArtsandHealth.org.