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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Arts & Healing Initiative

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United States
Santa Monica, CA
Arts & Healing Initiative

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We imagine a world where healing through the arts can be accessed anywhere, by anyone.

Our mission is to transform lives through the innate power of the arts, guided by mental health practices, to foster healing, connection, and resilience for all. Through community service, free program offerings, virtual trainings, and curriculum manuals, we empower the public to apply mental health-guided arts practices sustainably in their own lives and communities.

10/30/2026

The lesson that completely changed how we see community programs: they work best when you help shape them.

We're dreaming about what to build next, and we'd like your voice in it. Comment one word for each:

👥 WHO: kids, teens, older adults, caregivers, educators
🎨 WHAT: music, movement, writing, visual art
🗓 HOW: one-time session, multi-week, online

Example: "caregivers, music, multi-week."" Every answer helps us listen 💛"

SEA more info https://buff.ly/Zl97prx

10/30/2026

"We are incredibly grateful to the Arts & Healing Initiative, in partnership with Save The Music Foundation, for providing such a meaningful professional development experience for our VAPA teachers. The training was engaging, interactive, and thoughtfully tailored to the needs of our staff. Teachers walked away with practical strategies they could immediately incorporate into their classrooms to better support the diverse learning and social-emotional needs of their students. This was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our teachers’ instructional practices while reinforcing the powerful role the arts play in creating inclusive, supportive learning environments.” —Tiffany Dominguez, Director, Curriculum & Innovation, Centralia Elementary School District

Sponsored by Save The Music Foundation, See It, Feel It, Move IT: Reaching Every Learner in the Classroom was delivered by our talented, music therapist faculty member, John Mews, LMFT, MT.

10/29/2026

From watercolor painting and drumming to storytelling, mindful reflection, and real-world examples of arts in healthcare, we’re excited to be part of the lineup for the 2026 Creative Care Summit.

From November 9–12, join artists, healthcare professionals, and arts-in-health practitioners as we share experiences and insights on the connection between creativity, health, and well-being.

Our very own Founder & Director, Ping Ho, MA, MPH, will be facilitating an engaging drumming session on rhythm, mindfulness, and the relationship between music and well-being. Sign up for the free, virtual Summit today at the link in bio.

10/21/2026

It’s national arts & humanities month!

72% of Americans believe the arts provide shared experiences with people of different races, ethnicities, ages, beliefs, and identities.

From hosting or participating in a national arts & humanities month event in your community to advocating for arts funding—we invite you to add your voice. Share your story. Help show how the arts bring us together.

10/19/2026

Three free ways to take a five-minute arts recess. Save this 📌

🎵 Hum or tap a steady beat for one minute. Notice your breath.
✏️ Draw one continuous line without lifting your pen. Notice where it wanders.
📝 Write three words for how your body feels right now.

There's no right way and no result to reach. Change any step to fit your body and your day.

Want more? Our HOPE Series how-to videos are in the Resource Center on our website, link here https://buff.ly/pZGsUIr

Which recess will you try first? Comment 1, 2, or 3 👇

10/16/2026

Why we invite stopping chasing perfection in art.

Our next HOPE Series session, Seeing Without Judging: Reflections on Art & Acceptance, takes a social emotional arts approach to visual art. We'll notice how self-criticism shows up and how awareness can soften it, with the creative process as practice.

🗓 Thu, Nov 19
Link to register https://buff.ly/g4oVu0B

What would change if your art only had to be yours? Tell us below 👇

10/16/2026

⭐ CREATIVITY AS A PATHWAY TO INSIGHT, SELF-CARE AND COMMUNITY ⭐

Sun, Oct 25 | Unity of the Westside in Culver City

Join us Sunday, October 25th from 1–3 pm PDT for "Creativity as a Pathway to Insight, Self-Care and Community," an fun and engaging Creativity workshop with Ping Ho, hosted by Uprising Together at Unity of the Westside in Culver City.

Don’t miss this special Los Angeles event!

Time & Location
Oct 25, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM PDT
Unity of the Westside, 10724 Barman Ave, Culver City, CA 90230, USA

Sign up today

Join us Sunday, October 25th from 1–3 pm PDT for "Creativity as a Pathway to Insight, Self-Care and Community," an fun and engaging Creativity workshop with Ping Ho, hosted by Uprising Together at Unity of the Westside in Culver City. Don’t miss this special Los Angeles event!

10/15/2026

If you tend to forget to pause, try this:

Today at Noon PT, let's take one hour to breathe, hum, sing, and write together.

Songs That Carry Us: Making Music for Challenging Times
🎤 Kate Richards Geller, MA, MT-BC, LCAT
💻 Live on Zoom
✏️ Bring pencil and paper, and a phone to record if you can

All are welcome. No experience or musical background needed.

🎶 Register link https://buff.ly/WTdOtZJ

10/13/2026

How to start leading arts programs, even without experience.

Teachers. Caregivers. Artists. Parents. Nonprofit teams. Our programs are designed so that anyone can lead them: scripted, trauma-informed, and adaptable to different ages and abilities. The very first training we developed, Beat the Odds® drumming, needs no musical experience to deliver or join.

Where would you bring something like this? A classroom, a care setting, a community group, or your own family? Tell us in the comments 👇

P.S. This Thursday: Songs That Carry Us online session is happening. Link to register https://buff.ly/jAAKpm7

Address

Santa Monica, CA

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13104521439

Website

https://artsandhealinginitiative.org/

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