Mississauga Arts Council awards VAM ArtsCare MicroGrant

Blending Art and Wellness

Mississauga Arts

Art heals, soothes, inspires and energizes. The pandemic has caused unprecedented mental health challenges and Visual Arts Mississauga (VAM) is thrilled to be awarded the ArtsCare MicroGrant from Mississauga Arts Council (MAC). This grant will help launch Wellness Art Workshops in 2023.

These workshops are designed for youth and adults facilitated by qualified arts professionals with a focus on well-being, self-care and community building. By offering free workshops VAM aims to eliminate barriers to mental health support and provide art-based resources for individuals with moderate mental health obstacles.

Participants will be provided with an open space to explore the combination of mindful meditation practices, breathing exercises, visual art, creative writing and music as therapy.

“We are excited to facilitate healing through creation and can’t wait to share the results with the world! Thank you, MAC, for your support – it will mean so much to so many people!” says Victoria Shepherd, VAM’s Executive Director.

ArtsCare Program Development

In 2021, MAC held the Arts for Mental Health Conference to discuss the design and implementation of ArtsCare, a social prescription pilot program in Peel Region. Learn more at www.artscare.ca

The ArtsCare Mississauga initiative is open to qualifying artists, caregivers, and/or agencies for creative therapeutic programs employing Mississauga professional artists in service for those with moderate mental health obstacles. Programs can be from any artistic discipline, and multi-disciplinary programs are encouraged.

This dynamic and impactful MicroGrant program provides funding for artist-led projects which have a pronounced and impactful connection to the public and bring recognition and increased awareness to the arts across the city. 

Learn more at mississaugaartscouncil.com/programs/microgrants