Arts & Healing Initiative

Interested in adding Social Emotional Arts skills to your toolbox? We have two upcoming options! Compare the programs here: https://buff.ly/3WUxRh6 ?? The Social Emotional Arts Toolkit Training (SEA-T) starting February 28th focuses on scripted activities in four different art forms and is designed to be useful in settings where little or no supplies are available. ?? The Certificate Program in Social Emotional Arts (SEA) starting June 6th prepares trainees to develop and deliver their own culturally- and trauma-informed program from start to finish and learn best practices in six different art forms.

Join us Friday, 3/28 for our newest online training! In this groundbreaking adaptation of our Beat the Odds? program, learn how to train youth leaders to work in teams to deliver a simplified set of our trauma-informed, group drumming activities to their younger peers or others. This training is ideal for school counselors, arts educators, or anyone working with youth. And no musical experience is necessary. Register today: https://buff.ly/6iVqltG

Educators, community arts professionals, mental health practitioners, and others: ready to elevate your skills? Applications are open for our Online Certificate Program in Social Emotional Arts (SEA) Summer Cohort. ??? June 6 - August 8, 2025 ?? More info and application details at buff.ly/YNyG2i5. Don't miss out on maximizing the social-emotional benefits of arts experiences!

Have you tried the color walk trend? Psychotherapist Prerna Menon shares how the practice can help train ourselves in mindfulness, activate our relaxation response, and invite joy and curiosity. Read more: https://buff.ly/1kSzPaE

With a youth mental health crisis, a rise in chronic absenteeism, and lags in academic learning, SEL is needed now more than ever to support students’ academic success and overall well-being. #TodaysStudents become #TomorrowsLeaders and #SEL helps them get there. A Yale University analysis of more than 400 studies found that students who participated in SEL showed: ?? Increased academic achievement ?? Improved attendance ?? Deepened engagement Read more: https://buff.ly/43FfNbh

Join us Fridays in March for Pages of You: A Personal Journey through Guided Autobiography & SoulCollage? – a FREE virtual workshop as part of our HOPE Series! ?????? Facilitated by Kimberly Lee, we'll embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth in this free, four-part workshop that weaves personal narrative with collage making to enhance creativity and insight. Through the use of Guided Autobiography, a structured writing process, and SoulCollage?, an intuitive arts practice, we’ll write and reflect on our life experiences to connect to our inner wisdom, gain clarity, and discover deeper self-understanding. Although we encourage registration for all four online, experiential sessions of this workshop, attendance at all four is not required. Learn more & register https://buff.ly/4hTTZ3O This event is supported in part by Poets & Writers.

Join us on Friday (2/28) for our highly experiential, two-session online training on how to use social emotional arts—which directly address social emotional needs through both embracing and optimizing the process of creative expression—for mental health and well-being. Learn more & register today: https://buff.ly/4gSusqo Ideal for use with individuals or groups in any setting—from service-based organizations to K-12 schools to self-care at home—we’ll explore how to use a creative arts therapy-inspired kit of supportive art, movement, music, and writing activities to nurture creative self-expression and connection for alleviating stress and finding resilience.

What's in your toolbox? Add four different art forms --- art, movement, music, & writing --- and social emotional arts best practices that you can apply right away in the Social Emotional Arts Toolkit Training (SEA-T). There are available spots for the next online session starting FRIDAY 2/28! Learn more & register at https://buff.ly/4gSusqo

Join us THURSDAY (2/20) for Mindfulness through Art: A Journey of Self-Exploration – a FREE virtual workshop as part of our HOPE for LA Series ?????? Facilitated by Lorraine Allen, MPS, we'll go on a journey of self-exploration, mindfulness, and resilience-building strategies through art making. Through a series of guided prompts, we’ll examine our inner worlds—what we might be holding onto, what we might want to create space for, and what might benefit from releasing. Learn more & register: https://buff.ly/3NARXrH

Feel-Good Friday: Create a SEA Affirmation Jar! Gather a variety of paper, markers, and an empty jar. Cut pieces of paper into rectangle, square, or heart shapes. Write positive thoughts, feelings, or inspirational quotes on each piece - these can be gentle reminders, kind words, or anything that brings you joy! Personalize the jar with ribbon, paint markers, or stickers, and then fill it with your affirmations. Keep it somewhere visible & pick a note when you need a positivity boost! What affirmations bring you joy?