Flourishing Through Art inspires creativity, fosters personal growth, and helps break down mental health stigmas.
PROJECTS
“Flourishing through Art,” seeks to connect artists with organizations and facilitate and fund projects that benefit the organization's mission and clients.
Through a competitive application and interview process, CAAC selected nine artists to develop project proposals tailored to their creative practice and skill set.
CAAC hosted an "artist pitch" event where the artists presented their project ideas, shared their creative visions, and connected with potential organizations to collaborate with. Projects were further developed in collaboration with local non-profits addressing mental health challenges.
Artist then applied for funding from CAAC's Flourishing Through Art program. The following projects were selected.
Inner Child Healing: Uncovering the Inner Artist
Abigail Moses at First Presbyterian Church
Columbus-based artist Abigail Moses teaches an art journaling workshop series at First Presbyterian Church this fall. Weekly classes engage participants with education about art and mental health strategies, which are explored through weekly art-journaling prompts. Through this exploration, participants rediscover and cultivate compassion for the inner artist/child, gain greater self-understanding, and develop a stronger sense of confidence in their ability to express their unique experience. The goal of this workshop series is to equip participants with materials, skills, and perspective to embody their own self-actualized potential through creativity and self-acceptance. Participants also enter an art supply giveaway at the end of the course.
Self Exploration Through Zinemaking
Bethany Hohman with IYG and Turning Point
Columbus-based artist Bethany Hohman leads a series of zine-making workshops in collaboration with IYG (formerly Indiana Youth Group) and Turning Point. These workshops support youth mental health and well-being by providing a safe, creative space for self-expression. Participants learn the basics of zine creation, including layout design, storytelling, and mixed-media techniques, while exploring themes of identity, resilience, and empowerment. The workshops aim to equip young people with the tools and confidence to tell their own stories, fostering self-awareness and community connection through the power of art.
Documenting with Intention and Care: Filmmaking and Mental Health Advocacy
Ian Carstens with Mental Health Matters
A joint initiative between Mental Health Matters Bartholomew County Initiative and Midwest filmmaker Ian Carstens empowers local Ambassadors who address challenges and improve the mental health system for the well-being of Bartholomew County. Using intentional documentary practices, this project centers filmmaking and archiving that respects the delicacy and privacy of documenting mental health experiences while simultaneously providing an opportunity to increase awareness. Through a hands-on skill-building workshop, Ambassadors learn video and sound production best practices in concert with ethical and empathetic documentation strategies – all in a safe, intentional, and unplugged local space. Ambassadors then seek, collect, and create short films in response to their own or communities' lived experiences, as well as their work around mental health. These films are then screened locally for the community to engage in a continued conversation around mental health advocacy, awareness, and investment.
Self Healing Through Poetry
Skye Nicholson of Soul's Truth Coaching at IYG
Columbus-based poet and empowerment coach Skye Nicholson of Soul's Truth Coaching meets with teens at IYG (formerly Indiana Youth Group) for a 5-part interactive poetry workshop. This program helps teens discover their creative voices and access the power of poetry as a tool for processing life's challenges.
Youth Art Showcase
Stacie Larrison with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Stacie Larrison, a Columbus artist focused on the power of how art helps us heal, teams up with NAMI to create a showcase of art created by youth about the power of hope. The showcase is on display at NAMI’s annual walk with a goal of encouraging youth to connect with the concept of hope while simultaneously engaging in the artistic process.
Making Art in the Moment: Abstract Watercolor, Drawing, and More
Marilyn Brackney at Tom and Barbara Schoellkopf Center
Columbus-based artist Marilyn Brackney leads a series of workshops to introduce various art materials and techniques at the Tom & Barbara Schoellkopf Center. They include painting abstract watercolors, drawing Zentangles, learning how to use perspective to make realistic work, and using the ancient art form of marbling to decorate fabric and paper. Students have the opportunity to attend one or more classes in the series at no charge, and all materials are provided.
Dot Mandala
Shruti Giri at Tom and Barbara Schoellkopf Center
Columbus-based Dot Mandala artist Shruti Giri works with the Tom and Barbara Schoellkopf Center on the campus of IU Columbus in a wellness series. The goal is to encourage the participants by offering a wellness series as a part of self-care. Through this project, participants experience mindfulness, calmness, and release all kinds of negative emotions. A simple Dot creates wonders they experience firsthand.
Useful Symbols
Kimberly Free at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church parishioners and neighboring community members engage with visual artist Kimberly Free (their current artist-in-residence) through a series of hands-on visual art workshops surrounding the theme of “Useful Symbols.” Ms. Free shares her experience strengthening her own inner resilience using familiar symbols found in art history, diverse religious art, and cultural stories. Parishioners, neighbors, and students experience workshops where they create personal and group images reflecting their own concepts of inner peace and stability, using familiar and new personal symbols. Workshops include personal, meditative, and lively group art-making time, with concepts and art processes accessible to all.
GRANT GUIDELINES
Types of Programs/Projects
This program will fund art projects** that meet the following requirements
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Led by an Artist (or group of artists)
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A partnership with a not-for-profit Organization that aims to promote mental health, recovery, prevention, and wellness.
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Directly benefit to the Clients served by the Organization
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Directly engage the Clients in creating art
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An appropriate use of funds, as determined by the CAAC grants team
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Approximately $500–$2,000 total project budget
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The Artist is paid through the project
Examples of projects could include:
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Painting workshop
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Group music lessons
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Creation of artwork for the organization’s service areas
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Dance workshop series
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Artist-led tour of public art
FAQ
What do I do if more than one organization wants to work with me?
Artists are allowed to work with multiple organizations. However, they may only submit one grant application with a maximum request of $2,000. Collaborations among organizations are encouraged, but artists must ensure their project submission is unique and not a replication for multiple organizations.
Can I apply for more than one grant this year?
No. Artists may only submit one grant application for a $2,000 maximum request. If an artist applies for a grant in Round 1 and it is awarded, they are not eligible to apply for Round 2*.
*A second round of grants will be opened only if funding is available.
We would NOT fund
The Artist organizes and plays a concert that is a fundraiser for the Organization.
We would fund
The Artist teaches the Clients music lessons, culminating in a concert where Clients perform, and the Artist is the headline act.
We would NOT fund
The Artist creats a documentary about the Organization's work that features Clients' recovery journeys.
We would fund
The Artist instructs how to capture and edit video, allowing the Client to express their recovery journey.
We would NOT fund
The Artist paints a mural in a common space in the Organization's office.
We would fund
The Artist engages Clients in selecting themes and imagery for the mural. Clients assist in painting.
** Types of art projects include, but are not limited to:
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Visual Art – Painting, Drawing, Photography, Sculpture, Public Art
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Design – Graphic Design, Textiles, Furniture, Architecture
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Performance – Dance, Theatre, Music
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Literary Art – Poetry, Spoken Word
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Film – Independent, Documentary
FOR ORGANIZATIONS
As part of the "Flourishing Through Art" program, the Columbus Area Arts Council (CAAC) seeks to create meaningful connections between artists and organizations focused on mental health, wellness, recovery, and prevention.
Artists can apply for funding to develop projects in partnership with organizations. CAAC will compensate artists for the creation, project management, and execution of approved workshops or programs.
Organizations must collaborate with artists to ensure the project best serves their clients. They will also need to provide a letter of support, which can be an email to the artist. The goal is for CAAC to fully fund these projects, with organizations only contributing in extenuating circumstances.
Please note that these programs are not intended to be therapeutic. Instead, they aim to inspire creativity, develop skills, cultivate community, and stimulate personal growth.
FOR CHURCHES
In order to participate, churches and counceling services associated with churches must:
1. Be rated "Clear: Affirming in their LGBTQ Policy" and "Clear: Egalitarian in their Women in Leadership Policy" on Church Clarity.
OR
2. Have explicit policy or policies in place that align with CAAC's Cultural Equity Statement.
"With a vision “to be the central resource for the arts by inspiring a creative life for all,” CAAC is committed to providing everyone access to the arts. We are actively shaping a creative community that is inclusive, diverse and equitable, welcoming participation regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or religion."
First Presbyterian Church is a great example.
