Healing Through the Arts
Our Supporters
The LIVBIG Charitable Fund
Sheryl Cohen
This arts program is aimed at providing healing arts and creative outlets to the high-stress workforce in the Peoria area. The Peoria Art Guild recognizes the significant impact of stress on the well-being and productivity of individuals in the workplace, and we are committed to implementing a program that fosters a healthier and more resilient community. Peoria, Illinois, is a vibrant city with a diverse economy, including manufacturing, healthcare, first responders, military professionals, veterans and many other professional services. As the demands of the modern workforce increase post COVID, employees often experience high levels of stress, leading to burnout, decreased productivity, and various health issues. We intend to work with Art Therapists and Life Coaches but this is not meant to be a clinical diagnosis program but rather an arts experience that engages individuals in artistic activities that can provide an essential outlet for emotional expression, stress reduction, and overall well-being.
The Healing Through the Arts program aims to provide a range of creative outlets and therapeutic art experiences for employees across various industries in the community. This program will encompass the following key components:
a) Art Workshops: We will collaborate with art therapists and life coaches to conduct regular artistic workshops that will address stress management, emotional expression, and relaxation techniques. These workshops will be tailored to the specific needs of high-stress workers, promoting a supportive environment for self-exploration and healing.
b) Public Art Installations: Engaging the workforce in public art installations will allow employees to contribute to the beautification of the community while fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment. These installations will serve as reminders of the positive impact of creativity and teamwork.
c) Creative Workshops: The program will offer a diverse range of creative workshops, including painting, sculpture, photography, and creative writing. These workshops will provide employees with a safe space to explore their artistic talents and discover new hobbies outside of their professional lives.
d) Art Exhibitions and Events: To celebrate the participants' artistic achievements and to raise awareness about the program's impact, we would like to organize art exhibitions and events that showcase the high-quality artwork created during the workshops.
Objectives:
The Healing Through the Arts program aims to achieve the following objectives:
a) Engage high-stress workforce participants in the art therapy workshops and creative activities emotional expression, stress reduction, and overall well-being.
b) Facilitate the creation of public art installations, involving both employees and local artists to reduce stigma around mental health, increase awareness about the healing process and art therapy as a medium for healing.
c) Organize creative workshops to encourage artistic expression and skill development to reduce stress among the participants.
d) Host public art exhibitions and events to showcase the participants' artworks and the program's positive impact on the community.
The success of the program will be measured through pre- and post-workshop surveys to assess participants' stress levels, emotional well-being, and perceived benefits from the program. Additionally, we will collect qualitative feedback from participants to understand their experiences and suggestions for improvement. The number of public art installations and their impact on the community will also be evaluated.
To ensure the program's sustainability beyond the grant period, the Peoria Art Guild will seek partnerships with local businesses, philanthropic organizations, and governmental agencies. Furthermore, we will explore opportunities for participant donations, sponsorships, and ongoing fundraising efforts.
The Healing Through the Arts program will offer a unique and much-needed initiative to support the well-being of the high-stress workforce in our community. Through creative outlets and healing arts, we aim to enhance resilience, foster a positive work-life balance, and contribute to a healthier and more engaged workforce.
Program Outline
1.The Peoria Art Guild will create marketing materials to advertise to area businesses and organizations that will outline our program. We have already made connections with the School of Medicine in Peoria and the Air National Guard who have reached out requesting programming from us.
2. Modeled after our popular Community Arts Program for the underserved, organizations and businesses will reach out to us to discuss the need and schedule the classes. Classes can be held at the Peoria Art Guild, Peoria Art Guild at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie or onsite at area offices and businesses.
3. Art experiences will be scheduled by our Director of Education by coordinating with Art Instructors, Life Coaches and Art Therapists.
4. All arts experiences and supplies will be provided free to the participants. Using the grants and sponsorships that we receive we will pay the instructors $30 per hour and pay for all supplies needed. We will also supplement the salary of our Director of Education for her scheduling time.
5. Surveys will be sent following the program for feedback to allow us to improve our program.
Statement of need from Jennifer Johnson from 182D Air National Guard-
My name is Jennifer Johnson and I have been working at the Peoria, IL, 182D Air National Guard since March 2023, as the Director of Psychological Health. I also have over 20 years of experience in working at the Veterans Health Administration. I can tell you that in federal government, for the last 20 years, there exists and continues to exist, a Congressional mandate for behavioral health professionals to address Suicide Prevention and Psychological Resiliency for military service members and veterans. In my position with the Guard, I am responsible for the education and counseling of 1200 Guard personnel on these issues. There is also a great lack of resources for more intensive counseling and treatment of mental health disorders for our personnel in the community as a whole. Many behavioral health professionals in central Illinois have indicated to me they are experiencing a minimum 6 month wait list for our service members who need on-going mental health treatment. Due to the great lack of resources, any services you might be able to provide in the area of art therapy would be greatly appreciated. The 182D does have space available for art therapy classes. Any further information you may need for the purposes of a grant application I would be happy to provide in a formal letter from the 182D ALW, ANG if needed.
Statement of need from Dr Dominique Fons
As a Family Medicine physician, I have served in healthcare since 2011. Additionally, I am faculty at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and have mentored medical residents and students alike over a decade. I have presented locally and nationally on burnout, mindfulness and other aspects of physician wellness.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of nurses that left hospitals and became traveling nurses at higher salaries was staggering. There were more clinicians who left practice or retired. By one calculation, 3272 is the number of U.S. physicians in direct care who left the workforce between the start of 2019 and the fall of 2021. Kirk Brower, MD stated, “Health systems have come to realize that physicians need time to rest and recharge, but staffing shortages often get in the way of allowing this to happen[1].”
Last academic year, our community experienced the loss of a resident physician through suicide. This is a wake up call. It is time to heal our healers, not just push all the wellness and resiliency on the individual. While national movements try to push wellness and burnout prevention interventions on systems, the systems need to step up. Clinicians are resilient but can only take so much. No time is given to address the burnout, the grief, etc. Healthcare workers are expected to be the solution for a national and system problem. Communities and systems need to give time and space to help our healers heal.
I have participated in a Provider Wellness, Engagement, and Resilience (PWER) group at Carle Health Greater Peoria area since 2017. This group is designed to give physicians and APPs a monthly opportunity to meet with colleagues in a relaxed setting to socialize, brainstorm, decompress, discuss topics relevant to our profession and our wellbeing, do fun activities, as well as to support wellness, engagement, and resilience in each other. Participation in this group is completely voluntary and open to any physician or Advanced Practice Provider who is interested. As a group, we are trying to create this healing time and space during our all clinician meetings at CarleHealth Greater Peoria. We seek to allow clinicians a vehicle to work through these emotions and processes.
As an extension of my healing work, I am seeking a community solution for our mental health crisis as an extension of our medical community through art therapy.
For more information or to sponsor or donate to the Healing Through the Arts Program please contact director@peoriaartguild.org