The University Of Utah: Exploring The Arts As A Non-Major

Press release from The University of Utah:

August 23, 2021

That’s why, in addition to the wealth of wellness and counseling services on campus, we are inviting all University of Utah students to consider registering for courses in the arts (Art & Art History, Dance, Film & Media Arts, Music and Theatre) to supplement their learning and find new ways to explore resilience.

There are making classes, movement classes, lecture courses, and music ensembles that welcome all U students (partial but awesome list below).

So, what are the benefits?

Research on the social, cognitive and emotional benefits of arts experiences is painting an increasingly vivid portrait of the ways in which creative endeavors can change us for the better. Of course, that’s why expressive art therapies exist. And even outside of the context of the arts as therapy, researchers are seeing many indirect benefits of engaging with the arts.

Some of that research is being done right here at the University of Utah by faculty and staff affiliated with the Arts-in-Health Lab, which is a hub of interdisciplinary research, teaching, clinical care, and community engagement at the intersection of the arts and health. Its members study how the arts support and produce well-being, and put that knowledge to work in hospitals, clinics, community centers, schools, workplaces, and senior care facilities.

One example is Theatre professor Sydney Cheek-O’Donnell whose forthcoming book called “Arts for Health: Theatre” reviews theatre-related evidence and points to strong associations between engagement in theatre with several positive health outcomes, including:

• positive self-regard
• improved social relationships
• positive impact on mental health and well-being (e.g., reductions in anxiety), and
• improved health literacy.

NPR’s Malaka Gharib interviewed several researchers for her piece, “Feeling Artsy? Here’s How Making Arts Helps Your Brain” and noted that the benefits include:

• Assists us in imagining more hopeful futures
• Activates our brains’ reward center
• Lowers our stress
• Helps us focus

And in an exhaustive scoping review called “What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being?,” Daisy Fancourt and Saorise Finn stated that the arts can:

• • affect the social determinants of health (e.g. developing social cohesion and reducing social inequalities and inequities);
  • encourage health-promoting behaviours (e.g. through promoting healthy living or encouraging engagement with health care);
  • help to prevent ill health (including enhancing well-being and reducing the impact of trauma or the risk of • cognitive decline); and
  • support caregiving (including enhancing our understanding of health and improving clinical skills).

We could go on, but we’ll suffice to say: the benefits are broad and important, and we hope you’ll take us up on this opportunity. You don’t have to have any experience. Just register, bring your curiosity, and join us.

Here is a short list of some of classes and opportunities any U student can enjoy: Art and Art History Dance FILM & MEDIA ARTS MUSIC THEATRE

This press release was produced by The University of Utah. The views expressed here are the author’s own.