For 10 years, ArtsThrive (formerly known as Arts in Healing) has provided a bridge between Kentucky's vibrant arts scene and Louisville's renowned healthcare providers. By contracting local, professional artists, to bring creativity into healing environments in 22 partnering healthcare facilities and designing individualized programs around the needs of patients, family and staff, ArtsThrive uplifts spirits, provides needed avenues of self-discovery and expression, and opens doors to new possibilities to those in high-stress, crisis, transition, and recovery.
To learn more about ArtsThrive, email Kristen Hughes, Director, or call at (502) 566-5197.
“Just verbalizing my fears and letting myself be vulnerable in a safe community has made a big difference in understanding and being able to control my anger. It has helped my self-confidence, helped heal my family relationships, brought me new friends, and made me a better person.”
-Steve, US Navy 1964-1969 in Warrior’s Heart Community.
In 31 ongoing programs-weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly, ArtsThrive brings instrumental music, vocal music, storytelling, poetry-writing, dance, drama, and visual art to patients healing from substance abuse, children in shelter, seniors facing end of life issues, and veterans grappling with the consequences of combat, military service, and lack of community. Through its own flagship programming, Warrior’s Heart Community, ArtsThrive builds circles of healing and connection among veterans and civilians.
It is a deep honor and profoundly impactful to everyone involved to watch the miracle of healing happen--when through the exploration of the arts, hope is born, a new tool for expression is discovered, or simply, a positive connection with someone is established during a time of struggle or isolation, or in the midst of pain and uncertainty. Being creative is a powerful medicine!
