The newly established Institute for Arts and Health is bringing people from different areas with common interests together in an effort to make the community healthier.
The program aims to contribute to a more diverse and equitable society by incubating and seeking funding for interdisciplinary research and community engagement related to the arts and health.
“It will be a way where we can share best practices,” said Dr. Anne Hogan, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts (CCFA) and acting director of the new institute. “I think that in terms of the bridge and bringing people together from different areas is that they can have so much more of a significant impact, a positive impact on the health of artists and the health of a broader community.”
Hogan said she previously worked on initiatives about how arts can contribute to a healthier and more just society. She was inspired by a lot of the work going on in different colleges related to the arts and health sector.
The initiative meetings are open to faculty, staff, students and community members interested in the topic. The institute will focus on ways to improve health while bringing the expertise of people in different fields together.
“I think it’s exciting,” said Melissa Janoske McLean, associate professor of journalism and strategic media and CCFA dean’s fellow for research. “I think there are a lot of great people. I think it’s going to be wonderful.”
Moving forward, they want to make sure they have a diverse group of people who are affiliated in different ways. They have interest in faculty, staff, undergraduate, graduate and part time instructors and community partners.
“It’s exciting to see this institute connect aspects of health and arts in the Memphis community,” said the committee chair for Health Initiatives for Artists Miriam van Mersbergen. “It makes sense for this institute to be a part of the UofM community, given our history and commitment to community engagement and research.”
This week, the institute will be sending a survey for anyone at the University of Memphis and the community to register their interest. This will give the university and community the option of whether they want to become a member or help develop a leadership team.
“We want as many people as possible to be involved so that we can identify what kind of needs are out in the community and identify a team of people with that expertise who can help to meet those needs,” said Hogan.
The institute plans to capture all student engagement, research and every project related to arts and health to display the impact of the University of Memphis.
They will also send project information on the health of the community and the health of artists.
“Health has become so much more of a concern since we're all still in the midst of a global pandemic,” Hogan said. “A website will be up hopefully by the end of the semester. It will showcase some of the projects they’re doing and where people can go to find out about opportunities and more information.”
