Creative pathways – how to implement an expressive arts program for newcomers and their communities
What is Creative Pathways? Creative Pathways is a new 6-module online course on integrating expressive arts to support newcomer survivors of gender-based domestic violence (GBDV) across healthcare and settlement sectors. The course introduces expressive arts as an effective intervention for mental health and well-being, while focusing on specific benefits for newcomers and their families. Learn […]
Creativity, care and the rise of social prescribing
Learn more By Canada Council of the Arts Healthcare often starts with the question, “What’s the matter with you?” Bringing the arts into care introduces another: “What matters to you?” The shift reflects a more holistic view of health one the World Health Organization defines as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” […]
Creative care webinar #6: Continuing to mold
What does sustainability look like for newcomer GBV work? Where do we go from here? The HEAL project demonstrates the power of culturally tailored support services for newcomers experiencing GBV. It has generated valuable evidence to inform macro advocacy and actions to change public policy. Experts in the field will share their “calls to action” […]
Healthy debate: Art as a health behaviour
Read full article series By Lana Cho This is the fifth in a series examining the role of art in health care. What does togetherness sound like? Chúng ta cùng hát để thư giãn đầu óc nhé. Chị ơi, chị hát trước đi.“Let’s sing to clear our heads. Sister, you begin.” (Click here to listen) Togetherness […]
Creative care webinar #5: Messy is beautiful
Messy is beautiful: Lessons from facilitator learning logs How are we taking care of healers of healing? This webinar explores the critical role of culturally tailored facilitators in supporting survivors of gender-based domestic violence (GBDV). We’ll discuss how facilitators impact language, identity, and safety in diverse communities. The session will outline effective onboarding and training […]
Healthy debate: Art as a health behaviour
Read full article series By Christen Kong This is the fourth in a five-part series examining the role of art in health care. Imagine a world where creativity is prescribed alongside medicine – where artists collaborate with doctors to heal body, mind and spirit. What if the next time you entered a hospital, your care […]
Creative care webinar #4: Weaving stories and data
What does implementation research look like in an arts context? This webinar explores approaches to measuring the impact of expressive arts on newcomer mental health and wellbeing. Participants will learn strategies for integrating research into program implementation, enhancing participatory program design for newcomers. The session will address challenges in gender-based violence research, offering practical tips […]
Healthy debate: Art as a health behaviour
Read full article series By Jasmine Kaur Sidhu This is the third in a five-part series examining the role of art in health care. The arts rarely are positioned as service interventions within health-care and settlement systems. Yet, over the past four years in Toronto, The Hubs of Expressive Arts for Life (HEAL) Project has demonstrated how […]
Creative care webinar #3: Hubs of Expressive Arts for Life
What does it mean to culturally tailor a newcomer expressive art program? Settlement and healthcare are increasingly learning the nuances of cultural support and services. This webinar panel will feature four HEAL facilitators and their experiences adapting the HEAL program to meet their specific cultural needs. Each newcomer community will experience gender based domestic violence […]
The healing arts: Forging alliances of arts & medicine
By Christen Kong The sound of collective humming echoing through the hallways of St. Marta’s Campus in Berlin, Germany became my guiding compass, leading me to the opening conference session on June 18, 2026. Following the voices, I stepped into a large circle of people from around the world artists, healthcare professionals, researchers, scientists, and […]