Who: Hearts Need Art and the National Organization for Arts in Health

What: Launching a new podcast, "Arts for the Health of It"

When: World Art Day - Thursday, April 15th, 2021

Where: Available every Wednesday for download starting April 21 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, and YouTube

Why: With anxiety and stress levels rising exponentially because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are searching for ways to alleviate these symptoms of burnout. The Arts for the Health of It Podcast will help people to learn how to use the arts to promote physical, mental, and emotional health.

In honor of World Art Day, Texas-based nonprofit organization Hearts Need Art: Creative Support for Patients and Caregivers will launch a new weekly podcast, "Arts for the Health of It" on Thursday, April 15 at 12 am CST. The podcast is produced in partnership with the National Organization of Arts in Health (NOAH) and was created to integrate the arts into everyday health and wellness practices through information, tips, how-to's, and expert-led interviews on the subject.

With Anxiety and stress levels rising because of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are searching for ways to alleviate symptoms of burnout. Many have found comfort in the arts. In a March 2020 COVID-19 Social Study, led by Dr. Daisy Fancourt of the University College of London, participation in the arts and mental health was tracked in 72,000 UK adults on a weekly basis. The data suggests that people who spent 30 minutes or more each day during the pandemic on arts activities have lower rates of depression and anxiety and greater life satisfaction.

"Humans throughout history used the arts to maintain mental, physical, and social health. But many modern adults do not have a creative practice. Our goal is to help listeners reclaim the healing power of their creativity," says Hearts Need Art Founder/CEO and podcast host Constanza Roeder.

Hosts Richard Wilmore and Constanza Roeder draw on their combined 15 years of experience in the field of Arts in Health to introduce listeners to artists, researchers, creative arts therapists, policymakers, and healthcare providers to inspire listeners to incorporate the arts into their self-care routines.

"Increasingly the arts are being seen as a vital component of medical care, medical education, and public health. The arts can provide safe places for people to share their emotions, express their creativity, reduce the experience of pain, and feel connected." Naj Wikoff, Vice President of the National Organization for Arts in Health.

The first four episodes will be available beginning April 15th, with new episodes released every Wednesday at 12 am CDT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, and YouTube

Hearts Need Art is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to create moments of joy, self-expression, and connection with people facing life-altering health challenges through arts engagement, advocacy, and innovation. Patients that participate in their healing arts programs report lower pain, anxiety, depression, and isolation, and more joy. Their goal is for all patients and caregivers to have access to the healing power of the arts. For more information about Hearts Need Art and "Arts for the Health of It," go to heartsneedart.org/podcast

The National Organization for Arts in Health (NOAH) is a 501(c)3 organization established to unite, advance, and serve the field of arts in health. Through its programs, initiatives, and transformational leadership, NOAH's goals are to demonstrate the valuable role of the arts in enhancing the healing process, to integrate the arts in the planning, design, and operations of health care facilities and programs, and to advocate for arts programming within all areas of health care including treatment, education, prevention, and public health and well-being. For more information on the ARC project, please go to www.thenoah.net.