Creativity and Health: Need a Jumpstart?

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Can being creative lead to better health? Science says yes.

Really? Really. Many studies in recent years link creativity to improved overall and mental health. Benefits of engaging in creative activities can include:

  • Reduced stress and anxiety
  • Relief from depression
  • Increased feeling of well-being
  • Improved immune system

You Don’t Have to Be an Artist to Be Creative

You don’t have to be an artist to be creative. One person may be creative with a home repair or remodeling job. Another may plant and nurture a vegetable or flower garden. And yet another may dance, cook, paint, sculpture, knit, write, or…the list is endless.

You may already be doing activities you don’t think of as creative that are. How many of these activities do you already enjoy?

  • Dancing
  • Writing
  • Playing sports
  • Painting
  • Collecting themed items
  • Gardening
  • Cooking
  • Home repairs
  • Woodworking

Get a Jumpstart

If you’re already engaging in creative activities and feeling fine, good for you! But if you want to expand your interests, meet others with similar interests, and get a jumpstart on learning new creative activities to add to your life, look into the resources below.

These are all Wisconsin-based organizations that give people with disabilities and their families the opportunity to grow their creativity.

Arts for All Wisconsin

Arts for All Wisconsin, formerly known as Very Special Arts or VSA Wisconsin, is a statewide arts organization that serves children and adults with disabilities. They are guided by their understanding that the arts build bridges between people, support physical and mental wellness, and celebrate diversity in our community.

Learn more about Arts for All Wisconsin.

Cornucopia Art - Madison

Cornucopia is an arts and wellness center run for and by people with mental health issues and their allies. Through friendship, they celebrate creativity and diversity. They promote growth and dignity by helping members develop strengths and talents which build personal, professional, and community life skills.

Learn more about Cornucopia Art.

Studio 84 - Whitewater

Studio 84 is a nonprofit art studio that provides experiences in the visual arts and theater for the community. They specialize in working with all people including those with Autism, physical disabilities, cognitive limitations, and mental illness. They believe in creating an environment of inclusion whenever possible and they are open to all ages and all abilities.

Learn more about Studio 84.

Monroe Street Arts Center - Madison

Monroe Street Arts Center engages a community of learners in exploring the arts and developing the creative self. It offers music lessons (piano, violin, voice, guitar, harmonica, trumpet, and more) and art classes including drawing, painting, photography, and print-making.

Learn more about Monroe Street Arts Center.

ArtWorking - Madison

The Artworking program is located in Madison and provides career-oriented support for artists with cognitive disabilities. Artworking serves artists in a professional studio work space as well as in community and private settings such as an artist’s personal studio space or at public events, workshops, sales opportunities etc.

Learn more about ArtWorking.

Donna Lexa Art Centers – Waukesha and West Milwaukee

Donna Lexa Art Centers (DLAC) is a vibrant, innovative, inclusive art community for young adults and adults of all abilities. Grounded in Donna Lexa’s groundbreaking vision that everyone should have access to the arts, the DLAC strives to eliminate barriers to any artist who has the desire to access the benefits of participating in the creative process.

Learn more about the Donna Lexa Art Centers.

Encore Studio - Statewide

Encore Studio for the Performing Arts is Wisconsin's first professional theatre company for people with disabilities, and is one of the very few in the United States! Encore offers an innovative, inclusive, and professional environment where all people work together in the pursuit of artistic and theatrical excellence.

Learn more about Encore Studio.

Learn the Science

If you’re interested in why and how creativity improves health and feelings of well-being, check out these articles: