Members of a Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center survivorship class show their self-portraits. | Courtesy of Tiffany Van Wieren
2-minute read
Polk County and Watson Clinic Foundation’s Arts in Medicine program have launched the Polk Arts & Health Collaborative — a cross-sector alliance using arts to enhance individual and community and well-being.
The Arts in Medicine program, which is already up and running at the Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center, has patients painting, writing and engaging with music to ease anxiety, lift mood and support healing alongside more conventional treatments.
Why it matters: Polk County is growing fast. More people means more pressure on the local health care system.
“Even with growth aside, we’re stretched — and people fall through the cracks,” says Tiffany Van Wieren, who leads the Arts in Medicine initiative at Watson Clinic Foundation.
Animal paintings are displayed at the Arts in Medicine Studio of the Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center. | Courtesy of Tiffany Van Wieren
Using art in conjunction with science can expand care — and add more meaning to medicine. And creativity can be therapeutic, especially for those navigating illness.
Music therapy can rewire the brain
Art in hospitals can shorten recovery time
The NIH confirms that creativity supports healing when used with intention
“Arts are like glitter,” says Van Wieren. “They get into everything. And they should.”
Who’s served?
Caregivers
Veterans
Seniors
Children
People living in poverty
Men facing mental health stigma
Individuals left isolated post-pandemic
Arts in medicine isn’t just for the artsy.
“We confuse being artsy with being creative,” says Van Wieren. “But creativity is innate. It’s how we survive and heal.”
Participants pose at a Heart of the Team event, at the Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center. The events entail active arts engagements for health care staff to improve well-being and reduce burnout. | Courtesy of Tiffany Van Wieren
The blueprint: The program follows the NeuroArts Blueprint — a research backed framework from Johns Hopkins and the Aspen Institute. It aims to amplify existing work and invite new, local partners.
“It’s an ecosystem,” says Van Wieren. “We’re wiring the connections to make long-term change possible.”
In its first phase, it’s creating an open-access asset map, followed by:
A strategic planning session in August
Six community convenings starting in November
Musician volunteers perform at the Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center. | Courtesy of Tiffany Van Wieren
Color breaking through: At first glance, Watson Clinic’s Cancer & Research Center might not seem like a place to paint. But during one creative workshop, Van Wieren witnessed a patient discover connection through art firsthand.
The patient, once anxious, withdrawn, began showing up weekly — watching until she joined in, Van Wieren said.
She began to see the clinic differently, as if a wash of color had broken through the gray.
Her energy shifted. Staff morale lifted.
“Goodness just spreads. It’s a beautiful domino effect,” Van Wieren said.
Insight Polk examines community conditions and solutions in six target areas from UCIndicators.org: economic & employment opportunity, education, housing, food security, transportation & infrastructure, and quality of life.
LkldNow’s Insight Polk independent reporting is made possible by the United Community Indicators Project with funding by GiveWell Community Foundation & United Way of Central Florida. All editorial decisions are made by LkldNow.
Kayla Borg is a Lakeland native and graduate of Western Carolina University, where she earned her degree in English and film production. She began her media career in Atlanta at CNN, quickly rising from production assistant editor to technical director/editor, leading live broadcasts alongside field reporters. Since then, she’s worked in education, instructional design and independent filmmaking.
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