Arts and Healing

There’s a feeling of joy derived from participating in the creative arts. Arts in general — music, dance, visual and performing arts, literature and poetry — touch the human spirit in profound ways.

For people with special needs, being involved with art has an especially powerful effect. It can help manage disabilities and act as a pathway to self-discovery. The activity encourages creativity, it helps individuals express themselves and channel their emotions without having to use words.

Moreover, it creates a feeling of belonging: more often than not people living with disabilities tend to feel alienated, but by being involved in art programs people make connections, and these interactions are correlated to positive cognitive, social and behavioral outcomes.

We developed music, art and dance very early in our human development. These forms of communication are rooted in the deepest parts of the brain. In the words of Nobel winning neuroscientist Eric Kandel – art is an instinctual trait that helps us survive because it is crucial to our well-being.