Drum Beats & Heart Beats: The Healing Power of the Arts at TACHP

Drum Beats and Heart Beats: The Healing Power of the Arts at The Art Center Highland Park

“Early on in my career I recognized the power of music to unite people of all ages and backgrounds and its usefulness in building strong and sustainable communities.” That’s how Noah Plotkin started a meeting with The Art Center Highland Park’s Mindy Tiberi, Director of Education. “We were expanding our health and wellness programs, literally tripling our offerings, and Noah’s philosophy fit right in with our goals.” says Tiberi. “We’re very happy to have him on our faculty, along with many others like him in our constantly evolving curriculum”.

People may think of TACHP as it has traditionally been seen; offering over 450 classes per year in painting, drawing, clay and mosaic classes, but the expanded curriculum is focused on ‘The Healing Arts’ as well. With underwriting from NorthShore University HealthSystem, TACHP launched these classes and workshops in their Fall 2019 Catalogue (https://theartcenterhp.org/fall-catalogue).

“It’s not a secret, or even a new discovery,” adds Tiberi, “that the arts can improve the health of people who experience mental or physical health problems and that regular participation in arts programming promotes the prevention of disease and builds a sense of wellbeing. This series of courses allows us to offer programing that is relative to our aging population in Highland Park and keeps our offerings current and dynamic.”

Back to Noah Plotkin, his workshop, his initial course offering Life Rhythms, is for seniors who would like to enjoy the significant intellectual, social and emotional benefits inherent in making music through drumming and singing and is focused on improving cognitive activity by allowing them to feel a sense of purpose, stay engaged, socially active, responsive and alert.

Other Health and Wellness Classes include: Your Brain, Your Art, The Art of Play, Introduction to the Art of Play, Journaling for Self Care, Word Art, The Joy Project, Sketchbook Journaling, and a full curriculum of 115 courses for all skill levels and all ages.

Many of these classes have begun their fall sessions scheduling already, but some have open or ‘rolling’ enrollment, while others are workshops that only last a few days. More information can be found at their website, www.theartcenterhp.org, or by calling 847-432-1888, and asking for Mindy Tiberi.

The Art Center Highland Park (TACHP) is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to education in the contemporary visual arts through classes, outreach programs, gallery exhibitions and events. Our vibrant arts community delivers on our promise “Making Art Available” to all.

TACHP harnesses the transformative power of art to change and improve lives through impactful and innovative exhibitions. We showcase national and regional artists to our 4 museum quality gallery spaces with exhibitions for established and emerging artists. Community outreach is a vital part of our galleries ability to inspire, connect and expand the TACHP reach.