Support your health and well-being with regular engagement in the arts.
About
The Stanford Arts Prescribing Program connects Stanford students with arts & culture activities that support your individual health and well-being goals.
Participants receive an arts prescription which contains 9 “doses” of arts and culture. Each dose is a single engagement for an on campus activity or event (such as attending a concert, participating in a workshop, visiting a museum, etc.). Participants are connected with a Care Navigator who will be there to support you for the duration of your prescription.
Stanford Arts is partnering with Art Pharmacy to offer arts prescriptions to the University community.
Why Participate?
- Investing in You: An arts prescription is an investment in your mental and physical well-being. It's a great, non-clinical offering that has preventative benefits.
- Free: All participation costs are covered by Stanford.
- Community: You can bring a friend/care partner to your arts activity. Group prescriptions are also available for small campus cohorts.
- Variety: We're continually adding a variety of campus arts & cultural engagement options to our roster that reflect a wide range of creative practices.
We welcome all eligible participants to explore the benefits of an arts prescription. (Participants do not need to provide documentation of medical need to obtain a referral. )
All arts prescriptions require a referral from a campus prescribing partner. We have a wide range of campus prescribing partners who can help you get started with your arts prescription.
Eligibility
Open to all matriculated Stanford undergraduate, co-term, and graduate students.
How Does an Arts Prescription Work?
Eligibility & Participation
Q: Does it cost anything to participate?
A: No–all participation costs are covered by Stanford. This includes not just the arts & culture engagement, but also any necessary transportation to/from the activity as well as other accommodations.
Q: Can I bring a care partner/spouse/friend?
A: Yes! The Care Navigator will coordinate the logistics for you and your care partner to participate.
Q: Can groups participate in the program?
A: Yes. Small groups (such as a club, FSL, academic cohort, etc.) are eligible for a referral. Contact us to get started.
Q: Can students on a leave of absence participate in the program?
A: Unfortunately, no, not at this time. Participants must be currently enrolled students in order to access an arts prescription and use their doses. If you go on leave after receiving a prescription, your prescription will be paused until you return.
Q: Do I need any documentation from a doctor or OAE in order to participate?
A: No. The only eligibility requirement is to be a current Stanford student. We welcome all eligible participants to explore the benefits of an arts prescription.
Q: What kind of arts & culture options are available to participants?
A: We offer receptive and active arts engagements from ‘traditional’ arts disciplines as well as cultural events that encompass a wide range of creative practices. We offer in-person, on-campus and virtual arts engagement options.
Troubleshooting
Q: What are Art Pharmacy hours and can the Care Navigator be reached outside of those hours?
A: Art Pharmacy’s operating hours are 10am-6pm M-F. You may send an email to benjamin@artpharmacy.co. You may also call or text 833-ArtsRx-1 (833-278-7791) at anytime (if it is outside of business hours, a Care Navigator will return your call during normal business hours).
Q: What if I can’t attend an event or need to cancel?
A: You can text “Cancel” to 833-278-7791 or call that same number to cancel. If you know ahead of time that you cannot attend, please give at least 48 hours advance notice.
Q: What happens if I miss a scheduled arts engagement?
A: See Art Pharmacy’s Absentee Policy here.
Q: What if I can no longer participate in the program?
A: Inform your Care Navigator so that they can remove you from monthly offerings and connect you to other support for you if needed.
Q: I’m not receiving Art Pharmacy emails or texts, What should I do?
A: Inform your Care Navigator so that they can verify that the information they have on file for you is correct.
General Questions
Q: Where can I learn more about the health impacts of engagement with arts & culture?
A: New research is being published on a regular basis. Here are a few suggested resources:
- Arts on Prescription: A Field Guide for US Communities
- Arts & Health (World Health Organization)
- Your Brain on Art
- Arts and Health: The Role of the Arts Sector in Promoting Resilience and Well-Being
Q: Who are your campus partners?
A: The Stanford Arts Prescribing Program is led by Stanford Arts in partnership with Art Pharmacy. The program partners with many student-facing offices on campus to connect students with arts prescriptions, including: Well-Being @ Stanford, CareerEd, El Centro Chicano y Latino, FLI Student Success Center, Graduate Life Office, Haas Center for Public Service, Institute for Diversity in the Arts (IDA), Office of Student Engagement, ResEd, School of Medicine Student Life Office, Student-Athlete Development, and Undergraduate Advising.
Q: I'm hosting a campus arts event. How can I have it offered as an engagement option?
A: We would love to offer your upcoming arts & culture event to students participating in the program. It's best to register your event with Art Pharmacy as early as possible in order to allow for enough time for students to be matched.
- Faculty & Staff: Complete this registration form to register your department/program with Art Pharmacy. The Care Navigator will follow up with you to confirm event details.
- Students (including VSOs): Event must be registered in CardinalEngage to be included the activity database. Please contact Taylor Navas in the Office of Student Engagement for more information.
Art Pharmacy reviews each engagement to ensure it meets their Standards of Care.
We're always looking for more people to become involved with the program. Here are a few ways to get involved.
Spread the Word
Share information with your student community! We've put together a digital toolkit that you can use in emails, social media, newsletters, and more.
If you would like print copies of our program flyer or poster, please contact Sabrina Wilensky.
Become a Prescribing Partner
As a prescribing partner, you're able to initiate referrals to the Care Navigator. We are eager to have a wide range of prescribing partners across campus. Any student-facing staff member is eligible to become a prescribing partner. Please complete the following form to express interest. We hold trainings throughout the year for new partners.
Offer Arts & Culture Events
If you offer arts & culture events on campus, we'd love to have you as part of our database so participants can be matched with your activities.
Faculty & Staff: Complete this registration form to register your department/program with Art Pharmacy.
Students: Event must be registered in CardinalEngage to be included the activity database. Please contact Taylor Navas in the Office of Student Engagement for more information.
Students: Event must be registered in CardinalEngage to be included the activity database. Please contact Taylor Navas in the Office of Student Engagement for more information.
Stanford Red Folder
Guidance for faculty, staff, community leaders, and families supporting student well-being at Stanford.
Contact:
Ellen Oh
Director of Interdisciplinary Arts Programs
Office of the Vice President for the Arts
ellenoh@stanford.edu
Contact:
Sabrina Wilensky (she/her)
Director of Program Operations and Project Management
Office of the Vice President for the Arts
swilensk@stanford.edu
