MISSION
Utilizing the power of the arts and neuroscience research, VISITING ARTISTS’ program fosters cognitive vitality and emotional well-being for elderly individuals, promoting relaxation, self-expression, meaningful community engagement, and lifelong learning.
VISION
VISITING ARTISTS seeks to harness the energy of artists and formalize creative practices into replicable methods, applied in the wellness sectors, establishing a first-of-its-kind network of art practitioners and creative caregivers on call.
"Everything you can imagine is real." — Pablo Picasso
VISITING ARTISTS provides a research-backed, field-tested, creative services and training program, pioneering the concept of creative caregivers on call. Our mission is to enliven and enrich the lives of our elders in hospitals, assisted living, and rehabilitative settings, by providing a full-spectrum of expressively diverse, immersive, culturally relevant, meaningful activities, excursions, and purpose-driven projects.
VISITING ARTISTS facilitates wellness through holistic engagement, using the creative process as a transformational tool, working with participants in their search to find the words, form the shapes, drum the rhythms they feel, but don’t have a way to express. Grounded on a multi-tiered, creative caregiving curriculum, VISITING ARTISTS serves to create an individual and community needs-based creative caregiving program, which is purpose-driven, site-specific, and comprehensive.
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." — Maya Angelou
Grounded on an arts-based approach to social-emotional wellness, and field-tested, research-backed methods and techniques, VISITING ARTISTS roots its programming in the burgeoning field of neuroaesthetics: a study of the interconnectedness between the arts, neuroscience, and social interaction. Our unique program harnesses the energy, passion, empathy, and expertise of artists, focused on the fact that art provides a means of pleasure, wonder, and awe, nourishing our most human and profound needs and desires.
VISITING ARTISTS believes the unique practices of artists — flow, outside-of-the-box thinking, openness to experience, navigating uncertainty, and recognizing beauty in the ordinary — are life-skills, foundational for facilitating and optimizing critical thinking, empathy, healing, relaxation, observation, wellness, and wellbeing.
For older adults, engaging in art and creative expression enhances mental and physical well-being by stimulating cognitive function, reducing stress, and fostering a sense of purpose. Activities like painting, music, writing, and dance help maintain memory, improve dexterity, and encourage social interaction, which combats loneliness and depression. Creative engagement also promotes neuroplasticity, keeping the brain active and resilient against cognitive decline. Physically, movement-based arts improve balance, coordination, and mobility, reducing the risk of falls. Ultimately, artistic expression provides joy, emotional release, and a deep sense of fulfillment, enriching life at any age.
WHY ART?
Engaging in art and creative expression nurtures both mental and physical well-being by offering an outlet for emotions, reducing stress, and fostering mindfulness. The act of creating—whether through painting, music, writing, or dance—stimulates dopamine release, enhancing mood and motivation. It also strengthens neural connections, improving cognitive function and emotional resilience. Physically, activities like dance or sculpture enhance coordination and motor skills, while the meditative nature of creativity lowers cortisol levels, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. Ultimately, artistic expression provides a powerful means of self-discovery, healing, and connection, enriching our overall quality of life.
For older adults, engaging in art and creative expression enhances mental and physical well-being by stimulating cognitive function, reducing stress, and fostering a sense of purpose. Activities like painting, music, writing, and dance help maintain memory, improve dexterity, and encourage social interaction, which combats loneliness and depression. Creative engagement also promotes neuroplasticity, keeping the brain active and resilient against cognitive decline. Physically, movement-based arts improve balance, coordination, and mobility, reducing the risk of falls. Ultimately, artistic expression provides joy, emotional release, and a deep sense of fulfillment, enriching life at any age.
Art is not merely an entertaining pastime; it is a fundamental survival skill that shapes human perception, fosters adaptability, and strengthens social bonds. From prehistoric cave paintings to contemporary storytelling, art has helped humans process complex emotions, transmit knowledge, and envision possibilities beyond immediate reality. It enhances problem-solving by encouraging creativity, allowing individuals and societies to navigate change and uncertainty. Moreover, art cultivates empathy and shared identity, essential for cooperation and resilience in times of crisis. In a world where survival often depends on innovation and connection, art is not optional—it is vital.
