Arts in health programs are gaining increasing recognition in Canada as a valuable tool for promoting mental health, well-being, and overall quality of life. Studies have shown that engaging in creative activities can reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and depression, and improve cognitive function and social connectedness.
In 2025 I had the honour of serving as a subject matter expert consultant on Arts in Health for Culture Day’s www.MaketheCase.ca project, led by Hilary Martin.
The project makes the case that the arts deserve serious, sustained financial investment as a health intervention. Hilary generously recommended me to the organizers of ArtsCare 2026, and I’m honoured to have been invited.
On April 2, 2026, I’ll be joining artists, researchers, and health practitioners at Mount Royal University in Calgary for ArtsCare 2026: The Art of Social Prescribing. I’ll be speaking on the panel: Government & Systems: Benefits, Challenges, & Opportunities for Social Prescribing
The conference is hosted through the Arts Care Hub at Mount Royal University Conservatory — an initiative at the intersection of arts, music, and healthcare — and brings together voices from the arts sector, healthcare systems, and community organizations.
I’m looking forward to the conversations ahead, and to representing this work on a national stage.
