Nearly 1 in 4 Washington adults has been diagnosed with depression. At the same time, loneliness and social isolation continue to harm both mental, behavioral, and physical health.
Addressing these challenges requires solutions that complement traditional healthcare and strengthen the social connections, sense of purpose, and community that are essential to well-being.
Arts prescribing is an evidence-based approach that connects patients, via their healthcare provider, to trauma-informed arts and cultural experiences to improve health outcomes, strengthen communities, and support recovery.
Why Now?
Washington faces a growing mental health crisis marked by high need and unequal access to care. Behavioral health workforce shortages continue to strain healthcare systems, and many people lack opportunities for connection, belonging, and creative expression.
What is Arts Prescribing?
Arts prescribing integrates meaningful arts experiences into care, complementing traditional healthcare while supporting clinical outcomes.
Arts Prescribing enables healthcare providers to refer patients to arts and cultural experiences as part of their care, including:
- Visual arts
- Music and choir
- Dance
- Creative writing
- Theater
- Cultural experiences
Arts prescribing is already widely practiced in the United Kingdom and active in Georgia, California, and Massachusetts. Washington has an opportunity to become a national leader.
The Evidence is Clear
Research continues to demonstrate the health benefits of arts engagement. A recent study by Johns Hopkins University and Path with Art found that after participating in an eight-week arts program:
- 90% improved self-efficacy
- 89% reported better mental health
- 81% experienced less loneliness
- 69% made new friends
The study also found significant improvements in mental well-being, self-efficacy, and social connection using validated clinical assessment tools.
These findings confirm what Path with Art has seen for nearly 20 years: arts engagement helps people reconnect with themselves, their communities, and their futures.
How Arts Prescribing Works
- Provider Referral
A healthcare provider or care team member identifies a patient’s need and refers them into the program. - Care Navigation
A trained Care Navigator reaches out to the patient, completes an intake, and builds a personalized plan based on their interests, availability, and health goals. The care navigator may also help the individual enroll or sign up for arts engagements at no charge to the patient. - Arts Participation
The patient attends an arts or cultural experience at no charge—each visit is called a “dose”—matched to their personal preferences. - Monitoring & Refill
The Care Navigator follows up regularly to support engagement and track progress, and issues a “refill” of additional doses once the initial prescription is completed. - Insurance Reimbursement
Participating health plans or partners reimburse the arts organization for the cost of the engagement as part of covered whole-person or preventive care, closing the loop between clinical referral and community-based care.
Launching Arts Prescribing in Washington State
Art prescribing will be introduced to Washington during a two-year pilot program focusing on learning, building a strong foundation, and implementing initial arts prescriptions.
The goal is a proven, scalable model that improves health, strengthens communities, and creates a sustainable funding pathway for Washington’s arts sector.
Washington State Arts Prescribing Coalition Partners
Path with Art, in collaboration with ArtsWA and community investors, are working together with SocialRx, to enact this initiative to support a healthy Washington State.
- Anchor Organization: Path with Art
- State Sponsor: ArtsWA
- Infrastructure Provider: SocialRx
- Community Investors: 4Culture, Allen Family Philanthropies, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, Nesholm Family Foundation
Help Create the Future of Healthcare
Arts prescribing has the potential to transform healthcare, strengthen communities, and expand access to the arts across Washington. Help shape what’s next.
Learn More
Explore the research, stories, and ideas shaping the future of arts prescribing.
- Glossary of terms
- Why Some Doctors Are Prescribing Ballroom Dance or a Day at the Museum, Time
- Engaging with the arts can slow biological aging, study shows, NPR Morning Edition
- Did You Know Dance Can Help Manage Parkinson’s?, American Parkinson’s Disease Association
- Healing Trauma Through Art, Psychology Today
Thank You to our Community Investors
