S&C Mo b ile Art Th e ra p y St u d io Dawn E. Campbell PennWest University Grant Proposal CONTENT Purpose Justification Terms Literature Review Description of Organization Why a Mobile Studio? Why Underserved Communities in Central Virginia? Why Art Therapy? The Art Bus Goals and Objectives Implementation Plan Budget Evaluation Possible Source of Funding Limitations Future Research My Thoughts Grant Proposal PURPOSE The purpose of the research is to understand the positive impact of art therapy on underserved communities. This understanding will be used to develop a proposal for "The Art Bus," a mobile art therapy program that will bring art therapy services directly to these communities. The hope is that by increasing access to art therapy services, more funding will be allocated to art therapy programs. JUSTIFICATION Access to mental healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet it remains a significant challenge for many individuals and communities, particularly those from underserved populations. The disparities in mental healthcare access are rooted in a multitude of interconnected factors, creating a complex obstacle to achieving equitable mental health outcomes. There is also the issue of trust and not having healthcare providers who understand their experiences. TERMS • Humanistic/Person-Centered Therapy • Stigma • Socioeconomic barriers • Open Studio LITERATURE REVIEW Humanistic/Person-Centered • Client-driven approach for self-discovery • Therapist creates a safe, supportive space 3 Core Tenets: Congruence/Coherence (therapist and client relationship) Unconditional Positive Regard (acceptance) Empathy (understanding the clients world) LITERATURE REVIEW Art Therapy in Community-Based Care Benefits: • Empowers individuals and groups • Improved mental health & well through self-expression & creativity • Delivered within communities, not clinical settings • Promotes mental health, well-being, and social justice being • Reduced stress & anxiety • Boosted self-esteem & confidence • Stronger social connections • Coping mechanisms for trauma & loss LITERATURE REVIEW Health Promotion of Art Therapy It offers a safe space for self-expression and can: • Reduce stress and anxiety • Boost self-esteem and confidence • Develop coping skills and resilience • Improve communication, especially for those who struggle with verbal expression Benefits extend to various conditions: • Dementia: Art therapy can stimulate creativity and selfexpression. • Psychosis: It provides a safe space to manage difficult emotions. Art therapy can be used in various settings: • Schools: Promote social-emotional learning and reduce stress. • Hospitals: Help patients cope with pain and improve their overall well-being. • Mental health clinics: Treat a variety of mental health conditions. • Private practice: Address issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. LITERATURE REVIEW Art Therapy in Underserved Communities Underserved communities face high rates of trauma, poverty, and discrimination. Making Art Therapy Accessible: • Offer services in community centers, churches and schools • Mobile outreach teams brining services directly to people Collaborative care: teams of providers working together LITERATURE REVIEW Open Studio in Art Therapy Benefits: The open studio approach originated from the early days of art • Express emotions nonverbally therapy, when artists, influenced by humanistic approaches to • Develop coping skills and resilience psychiatry, brought the studio into a psychiatric hospital in the • Process trauma and experiences 1940s (Finkel & Bat Or, 2020). • Explore identity and individuality Key Elements: • Supported autonomy: Freedom to choose materials and pace • Creative process over product: Focus on exploration, not outcome • Witnessing: Therapist and participants acknowledge the process • Privatization: Artwork belongs to the creator (teens) DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION S&C: Art Therapy Studio, a community-focused art therapy initiative, will be a registered non-profit organization owned and operated by Dawn Campbell, an art therapy graduate and license eligible professional counselor. Dawn is also a local artist with over two decades of experience serving the community. S&C: Mobile Art Therapy Studio will offer free art therapy sessions and collaborates with other local organizations to provide services within communities. WHY A MOBILE STUDIO? There is a significant need for a mobile art studio to address the challenges with access to mental health resources and create new opportunities. These challenges include limited access, reducing cost, increasing engagement, enhancing inspiration, and building community. Overall, a mobile art studio offers a flexible and cost-effective solution to expand access to art therapy and will empower individuals and communities. WHY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA? There are several compelling reasons to focus this mobile art therapy program on underserved communities in Central Virginia. Currently, this is the area in which I have resources and know the mental health needs. I have spent over a year volunteering and in internship at St. Joseph’s Villa, an organization that services the central Virginia area. I have seen firsthand the limited resources, transportation challenges, and a need to address disparities. In December 2023 Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $500 million in new funding for the continued transformation of Virginia’s behavioral health system (Office of Governor 2023). WHY ART THERAPY? Central Virginia’s underserved communities can reap significant benefits from art therapy. It provides a powerful tool for non-verbal communication, emotional processing, and stress reduction. Art Therapy can also empower individuals , build self-esteem, and even foster a stronger sense of community. Having witnessed firsthand the positive impact on adolescents in our area. I’m confident art therapy can be a valuable resource for many. “THE ART BUS” Target Beneficiaries: Underserved Services Offered: Communities • Free Art Therapy Sessions • Safe Space for Emotional Expression • Building Trust & Resilience • A way to connect to long-term care • Children and Adolescents • Adults • Families Benefits: • Veterans • Improved Mental Health & Well-Being • Individuals with Disabilities • Stronger Families & Communities • Reduced stigma around mental health GOALS AND OBJECTIVES a. Bring art therapy tools and materials to the client’s regional location without G o a l – To p ro vid e a c c e ss to Art The ra p y fo r und e rse rve d p o p ula tio ns a c ro ss C e ntra l Virg inia a t no cost to the individuals. Objectives – This p ro g ra m a ims to inc re a se a c c e ss to a rt the ra p y se rvic e s fo r und e rse rve d p o p ula tio ns within the C o mmunity Se rvic e Bo a rd (C SB) b y p ro vid ing fre e , mo b ile a rt the ra p y se ssio ns a t re g io na l lo c a tio ns. additional fees to reduce the cost of travel for the clients and alleviate the cost of therapy b. Create Access to art therapy for underserved populations by utilizing a mobile studio to visit regional area within Community Service Board (CSB) weekly to provide group Art Therapy. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN • Research used non-CDL short bus or RV that fits within budget • Bus will undergo internal transformation, where unnecessary elements will be removed. • Tables and chairs will be installed with storage also included to create functional art therapy spaces. • Art supplies will be secured and organized to fit pre-established programing. • Humanistic/Person-centered approach will be used. • Art therapy sessions will be held both inside the bus and outdoors at various locations throughout Central Virginia. BUDGET TOTAL AMOUNT NEEDED TO START $37,575 A detailed budget has been created based on the estimated needs of the art therapy u bus, this budget proposal represents an initial budget proposal. Depending on the funding guidelines and requirements for the grant we are applying for, we may have to adjust the budget accordingly. EVALUATION • Weekly group art therapy sessions through affiliated sites • To track the impact of the art studio data will be collected using forms to record weekly attendance. • Form will include a short intake survey to understand demographics being served • Data will identify areas with limited access and reduce cost • Final report summarizing the findings will be published and shared with grantors and donors POSSIBLE SOURCE OF FUNDING The funding goal for the S&C: Mobile Art Therapy Studio is to provide at least a 50% match to any grant offered. Funding for this match will come from crowd funding initiatives, donations from private sponsors, and other fundraising initiatives. Possible Grant Sources: • Virginia Commonwealth University – Innovative Partnership Opportunities Mini Grants: $2,000 • Virginia Commission for the Arts Community Impact Grants up to $5,000 • The Awesome Foundation: Organization that offers $1,000 LIMITATIONS • The program may not address all mental health conditions, especially those requiring intensive therapy or medication management. • The mobile format may limit session duration and frequency compared to traditional settings, potentially impacting therapeutic depth. • Maintaining confidentiality within the mobile environment might also pose challenges. • Logistics like scheduling, travel distances, and weather disruption could affect accessibility. FUTURE RESEARCH • Plans to do more research on culturally tailored art • Plans to explore technology • Plans to expand programming by working with local businesses, churches, schools and other organizations REFERENCES Bazooband, A., Courtney-Pratt, H., Tierney, H., Doherty, K., "Engaging in Participatory CommunityBased Arts: Perspectives of People Living with Dementia", Health & Social Care in the Community, vol. 2023, Article ID 3088449, 14 pages, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3088449 Feen-Calligan, H., Moreno, J., & Buzzard, E. (2018). Art Therapy, Community Building, Activism, and Outcomes. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1548. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01548 Hlavek, E., Feldwisch, R. (2022). Humanistic approaches to art therapy: Existentialism, personcentered, and gestalt, Foundations of Art Therapy, Academic Press, 2022, Pages 235-257, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824308-4.00005-3 Shukla, A., Choudhari, S. G., Gaidhane, A. M., & Quazi Syed, Z. (2022). Role of Art Therapy in the Promotion of Mental Health: A Critical Review. Cureus, 14(8), e28026. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.28026 MY THOUGHTS It’s an exciting feeling when you have had something in your head as an idea for over 30 years. At the time I didn’t know what it was called, and I didn’t have the framework for it, but I knew it was something that I needed to do. Ever since I was a teenager, I saw myself as the Red Cross of mental health and art was going to be my resource. I want to take this moment to thank all my professors at PennWest that decided I was a good fit for this school and who helped lead me through this journey. I would also like to thank my family(especially my husband and kids, for being patient), friends and my two angels (C.H. and L.A.) Who didn’t make it to see this idea come this far, but who pulled me in the right direction. I would also like to thank my grandmother, who continues to be a constant reminder that art heals. Grant Proposal