How This Big Arts Show Across 18 U.S. Locations Can Help Health

"There's no real reason why the arts, health, and science shouldn't be much more highly integrated," says Lear deBessonet, a Tony-nominated theater director and co-director of the One Nation One Project.

That's why she and Nataki Garrett, a co-artistic directors for the project, are behind the Arts for EveryBody campaign, which will see hundreds of artists, community leaders, and health professionals come together in 18 cities and towns across the US in July 2024 to take part in "large-scale participatory art projects" that will improve the mental and physical well-being of everyone around them, per a press release.

"You may think of the arts as something that's different from wat may be a stereotype," deBessonet tells USA Today.

"Everybody's more for fun and entertainment....

Such high schoolish distinctions have extended way into adulthood with different fields disciplines and sectors remaining quite separated and siloed down."

Scientific studies have shown that the arts can help improve mental and physical health outcomes, as well as foster optimism and social interactions, which are associated with better health.

One Nation One was inspired to create the campaign after a health crisis caught them off guard, deBessonet says.

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