In 2020, the Mass Cultural Council launched CultureRx: Social Prescription, a groundbreaking initiative that provided arts and culture experiences as prescriptions written by doctors and other professional care providers in select communities throughout Massachusetts. From 2020-2023 we worked with 13 organizations with over 30 care providers who issued over 1940 prescriptions. 92% of the participants when asked if they would like to repeat their experience, said YES.
As we begin our new fiscal year we are excited to announce that we have partnered with Art Pharmacy to expand the program statewide. We are writing to let you know that in the next couple of weeks you will be receiving an email from Art Pharmacy inviting you to join their network as they begin to scale and grow social prescription throughout the state. Connecting with Art Pharmacy is completely voluntary and no action is necessary at this time. This email is intended to provide advance notice of the opportunity to directly connect with them.
For those in Western Mass, there is an opportunity to learn more about social prescribing, Art Pharmacy, and broader work at the intersection of the Arts and Health, on October 23rd at the Community Music School of Springfield for "Health and Wellness Through Creativity." The program will include a panel of experts from the Springfield area along with Mass Cultural Council staff and representation from Art Pharmacy. You can learn more and register for the event using THIS LINK.
If you would like to sign up now, you are welcome to fill out the Arts Pharmacy registration form, the first step in qualifying to be an Arts & Culture Partner.
If you’d like to learn more about Arts on Prescription here are a few recent resources:
1. Art Pharmacy Website: Check out the Arts & Culture Partners page here.
2. An Article: Arts on Prescription: An Emerging Model of Mental Healthcare - How "social prescribing" leverages the power of culture for mental health.
3. A Field Guide: Referencing CultureRx and Art Pharmacy: New Reference Guide Released to Advance the Practice of Arts on Prescription (direct link: Arts on Prescription: A Field Guide to US Communities)
Please keep an eye out for an upcoming email from Art Pharmacy and feel free to be in touch directly with
(erik.holmgren@mass.gov)with any questions.
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