The University of Arizona is pioneering a new approach to student mental health support through a collaboration with Art Pharmacy. Launching in the fall of 2025, this innovative pilot program will use arts and cultural experiences as therapeutic tools for addressing anxiety, depression, and loneliness among students.
Art as a Path to Wellness
Andrew Schulz, vice president for the arts and dean of the College of Fine Arts, highlighted the transformative power of the arts in promoting well-being. “The arts promote human flourishing,” Schulz stated. “They help us express and understand the human experience, which is a fundamental need. There is strong research that shows the arts can reduce isolation, increase belonging and build community.”
This initiative is spearheaded by Arizona Arts and involves collaboration with the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, Student Affairs, Campus Health, and Student Success and Retention Innovation. The University of Arizona is the first institution in the Southwest region to implement Art Pharmacy’s services.
Personalized Cultural Experiences
Students referred to Art Pharmacy by the university’s Counseling and Psych Services will be paired with a care navigator. This navigator will tailor a unique set of arts and culture experiences, or “doses,” for each student, which may include workshops, classes, or performances. All related expenses, including tickets and transportation, are covered for both the student and a guest, ensuring accessibility.
Art Pharmacy is collaborating with various campus entities such as Arizona Arts Live, the University of Arizona Museum of Art, and the Poetry Center, along with Tucson community arts organizations, to offer a wide range of options.
A Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health
Amanda Kraus, vice president for student affairs, emphasized the program’s role in a holistic strategy for student wellness. “Not all mental health support requires a medical prescription, and I think that’s something universities grapple with,” Kraus explained. “Art Pharmacy is an innovative way to support students and their well-being. It’s about breaking out of your traditional schedule to try something new or reconnect with something you love.”
Funded by Arizona Arts supporters, including lead donor Peggy Goulding, the program is set to run for three years. Goulding, a dietitian and nutritionist, expressed her commitment: “Helping young people deal with the many mental health issues in today’s world is of paramount importance to me. Based on my experience in health care and my appreciation of the healing power of the arts, I believe this program will be beneficial to the students at the University of Arizona.”
Success and Expansion
Art Pharmacy, already active in several states, reports positive outcomes from its first university partnership with Stanford University, where 84% of referred students attended events and 80% noted improvements in mental health. Chris Appleton, founder and CEO of Art Pharmacy, highlighted the importance of such initiatives: “The social prescribing movement is growing throughout our country as anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation rates on college campuses are at an all-time high. Introducing non-stigmatized, readily available mental health interventions is critical for institutional partnerships looking to implement and scale social prescribing.”
Reflecting on the broader mission of Arizona Arts, Schulz added, “We want to help students build lifelong habits of interacting with the arts – and each other – in new ways. You’ve seen this in some of the public art projects we’ve done on the Mall like the swing sets or the Cuk Ṣon Audiorama near Centennial Hall. It’s all about creating more pathways for students to build community.”
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