Ohio University Bobcat ArtsCare
Bobcat ArtsCare provides students from any major or program at Ohio University access to the arts, with opportunities to engage in visual, performing, literary, and outdoor arts experiences on campus and within the community-at-large. BAC strives to connect each student to meaningful arts experiences that reduce stress, create social connections, and support overall mental and physical wellness.
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.
Example of Benefits:
• Reduce stress
• Enhance creativity
• Build connections
• Foster emotional well-being & resilience
• Increase energy
• Promote mental focus & attention
• Improve problem solving skills
The Bobcat ArtsCare Program provides the following:
Coaching – 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.
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.
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.
*This program is based upon a framework called arts prescribing or arts prescription and results from a partnership between OHIO Arts in Health, the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, Well-Being & Recreation, and Counseling & Psychological Services.
Students complete a self-referral form and are connected with a Bobcat ArtsCare Well-Being Coach. A meeting is scheduled, and the ArtsCare Coach learns more about the student needs, goals, and connects them with appropriate arts experience(s) or opportunities.
Bobcat ArtsCare Well-Being Coaches can provide:
* increased information about how attending arts events or engaging in the arts can benefit students – with a goal to decrease the stigma that the arts are only for those studying it, or who are “good” at it
* support in connecting to and accessing meaningful arts events and experiences
* specific programming within the Well-Being Wing and in other areas of campus
* access to arts opportunities to engage in with others
The key here is intentionality – learning what the student hopes to benefit from, or gain, from a selected arts experience or event - supporting them in developing arts engagement behaviors that can benefit them long term
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
-Alison Sincoff, MM, Professor of Flute
Programs & Activities
A range of arts programs and experiences are available at Ohio University through the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts and in all facets of the University and community of Athens, OH. The Kennedy Museum of Art, Tantrum Theater, Athena Cinema, additional art galleries, open mics, and numerous local organizations provide many opportunities to engage and experience the arts.
