As mental health issues increased in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in art-making has also expanded — offering ways for us to creatively cope with the new uncertainty and restrictions of daily life. While some unprecedented health effects of isolation and lockdowns, such as PTSD and loneliness, have emerged during COVID, so […]

Music has long been recognized for its ability to bring people together. But can its healing powers help to suture the divides wrought by pandemic distancing and growing social unrest? The Silkroad Ensemble shows us the possibilities even in the midst of the most challenging circumstances. This award-winning team of virtuosos has met the challenges […]

By IAM Lab Contributor Hannah L. Drake Editor’s Note: Hannah L. Drake is a writer, spoken word artist-activist and cultural strategist at Ideas xLab in Louisville, Kentucky. Her work focuses on the intersection of arts, culture and health with an emphasis on the impact of race and injustice in underserved communities. In 2017, the National […]

Healthcare professionals are under extreme pressure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is putting their medical training and resourcefulness to the test daily. Many are going above and beyond the call of duty by turning to the arts to comfort and heal patients. As a clapback to the virus, singing and dancing have erupted spontaneously […]

The teen years. They’re a rollercoaster of changes that come fast and furious as the brain and body struggles to adapt to a new world order. Sound familiar? Even for adults, the pandemic can feel like an unwelcome callback to our adolescence. Parents often gripe about their teenager’s mood swings and sometimes questionable judgment, chalking […]

The latest ideas from around the world on how to stay home, stay healthy and make the most of the arts for wellbeing. Last updated: August 9, 2020. MUSEUMS Visit the first COVID Art Museum on Instagram Wander through over 2,000 museums and archives View the transient sand sculptures of Japan’s Sand Museum Become a […]

As the holiday season kicks into high gear, the sounds of choral singing are everywhere. But group singing has been growing in popularity in all seasons. According to the Chorus Impact Study, participation in American choral groups rose from 14% in 2008 to 17% in 2018. Today, more than 54 million Americans sing in choruses. […]