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People put their arms around each other during a music concert
Bobcat ArtsCare
Nurture your well-being by making the arts a regular part of your life

Bobcat ArtsCare

Canvas Event
Drumming on the Green

What is Bobcat ArtsCare? 

MISSION: The mission of the Bobcat ArtsCare Program is to provide support for the mental and physical health of OHIO students through the arts.

PURPOSE: The Bobcat ArtsCare Program strives to connect each OHIO student to meaningful arts-based experiences that reduce stress, create social connections, improve mood, and support overall mental and physical wellness.

Description:

The Bobcat ArtsCare Program provides students from any major or program at ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ access to the arts, with opportunities to engage in visual, performing, literary, and outdoor arts experiences on campus and within the community-at-large. The Bobcat ArtsCare Program is based on research  that engagement in the arts impacts our health and well-being in multiple ways. Even one-time events such as attending a concert, play, or museum exhibit can positively impact each of us, but engaging in a creative process or ongoing activity on a regular basis can have even more health benefits! This is a non-clinical program and not a creative arts therapy program.

Benefits
  • Reducing stress
  • Enhancing creativity
  • Building connections
  • Fostering emotional well-being & resilience
  • Increasing energy
  • Promoting mental focus & attention
  • Improving problem solving skills

The Bobcat ArtsCare Program provides the following:

  1. Coaching â€“ A subset of Well-Being Coaching, ArtsCare coaches are trained to help students identify their well-being need and then help to develop a plan that involves arts experiences and/or events that may help impact that area. Coaches can also assist with finding location, time, transportation, and/or tickets to support students.
  2. Programming – In addition to the many arts opportunities around the University, Bobcat ArtsCare also sponsors/hosts programming each semester in various locations on campus, including the Well-Being Wing, with the purpose of bringing students together to experience the arts in an approachable way.
  3. Educating - Bobcat ArtsCare also strives to help students better understand the role of the arts as a coping strategy, as a means for connecting, and to sustain overall well-being. Information is shared through social media posts, events, and other programming.

Bobcat ArtsCare Advisory Group

Dr. Sharon R. Boyle, LPMT, MT-BC, Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Director of Arts in Health

Caitlin Kraus, LPCC-S, LPMT, MT-BC, Senior Counselor in Counseling and Psychological Services

Sarah Ramey, MFA, Assistant Professor of Dance

Get Involved

Athens campus students can access Bobcat ArtsCare by filling out a simple form.

How it Works

  • 1. Submit a form

    Complete the Bobcat ArtsCare Referral Form.

  • 2. Connect with a Bobcat ArtCare Coach

    A Bobcat ArtsCare Coach will reach out to you to assess your needs and schedule a brief coaching session (either in-person or virtual). 

  • 3. Choose Your Experience!

    You and your coach will review a list of opportunities, experiences, or events suited to your needs and interests. You can go solo or with a friend. Try something you wouldn't normally do! 

  • 4. Experience the Arts!

    Experience the opportunity - go enjoy yourself!

  • 5. Provide feedback / enter giveaway

    Complete the feedback form so that we can continue to cater our services to students' needs!

Experience Examples

Students do arts and crafts in the Well-Being Wing

Well-Being Wing

The Well-Being Wing in Ping Center provides space to draw, color, and listen to music.

Athena Cinema exterior

Athena Cinema

The Athena Cinema is a historic movie theater in uptown Athens, Ohio that has been operating since 1915.

Students sit in a drum circle outside on College Green

Drumming on the Green

Drumming on the Green during THRIVE week allowed students opportunities to engage in music together outdoors.

People look at art in the Kennedy Museum

Kennedy Museum of Art

The Kennedy Museum of Art houses quality national and international exhibitions, collection-based research, and diverse formal and informal learning opportunities.

Students participate in World Chagas Day to bring awareness

Engagement opportunities

World Chagas Day provided students an opportunity to engage in art while bringing awareness.

Person acts on stage during a theatre performance

Performing Arts Series

OHIO's Performing Arts series features concerts and theatre productions of all kinds throughout the year.

A stage features a musical band in an auditorium full of people

OHIO Concert Series

OHIO's Performing Arts series features concerts and theatre productions of all kinds throughout the year.

Partnerships

This program results from a partnership between Arts in Health, the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, Well-Being & Recreation, and Counseling & Psychological Services.

Fancourt, D. & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe. Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report 67. 

What is the role of a Bobcat ArtsCare Partner?
  • Co-sponsor events or programming with Bobcat ArtsCare.
  • Help students learn about the BAC program and how it may benefit them.
  • Provide additional information about the benefits of the arts for their well-being.
  • Help students locate the website and complete the .
  • Alert the BAC of any arts-based events or experiences that could be included as options for students in the BAC program.
  • Develop a special event or program that would align with arts for well-being.
  • Be an advocate for the BAC program and arts for well-being!

In addition to the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, staff and faculty in a range of departments are essential to informing students about this program and assisting and supporting in a variety of ways. Other partnerships include: