The Role of the Arts in Healthcare: Transforming Lives, Creating Community

The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund is proud to announce the release of its progress report, The Role of the Arts in Healthcare: Transforming Lives, Creating Community.

Report showcases the power of the arts to build strong communities, improve health and wellbeing and help people thrive. The report includes case studies and data on the impact of the first six years of the Illumination Fund’s initiative at the intersection of the arts and healthcare in New York City.

Key Highlights

• Over $10 million invested to date, with a newly announced $25 million commitment to deepen and expand the initiative.
• Stories from grantees like Gibney Community Action, NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine, Arts & Minds, and Common Threads Project, demonstrating the arts’ profound impact on individual and community health.
• Data-backed evidence of the arts’ role in improving mental health, reducing trauma, and enhancing quality of life for aging populations.

Why This Matters

At a time when health and mental health challenges are more urgent than ever, the arts offer innovative and compassionate solutions to enhance care, foster connection, and build healthier communities. This report shines a light on the extraordinary work being done by grantees, healthcare providers, and artists across the city and invites others to join this growing movement.

This groundbreaking report highlights six years of work through the Arts in Health Initiative, showcasing how arts-based programs have become a transformative force in addressing critical health challenges across New York City.

Expansion

Building on the success of the initiative, which began in 2018 with an initial investment of $10 million, the Illumination Fund is more than doubling its commitment to $25 million. This new funding will support a broad range of organizations across the city working at the intersection of arts and healthcare, a field that has been growing and flourishing nationally and internationally, the fund will foster innovative programs that improve health, address mental health needs, and promote community wellness.

Explore the Report and Watch the Stories

Dive deeper into the findings and witness the impact of these programs through compelling videos featuring the voices of healthcare leaders, artists, and community members.

Learn how organizations across New York City are harnessing the power of the arts to transform lives, create community, and build a healthier, more equitable future.

PRESS RELEASE