Arts in Health
About Our Arts in Health Initiative
In 2025 Morris Arts launched its Arts in Health initiative to provide new ways the arts can address the pressing needs of the communities we serve.
To kick off our new initiative, we invited neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author of Your Brain on Art, Susan Magsamen, to speak to community members and arts leaders about her research on the connection between arts participation and health.
We’ve long believed and often witnessed that the arts can have positive and lasting impacts on our health and the latest scientific research definitively proves that:
- One or more arts experiences each month could extend your life expectancy by ten years.
- Music can improve cognitive function in people with dementia.
- 45 minutes of working on any art activity reduces stress hormones by 25%.
- Dance can ease symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
Our Arts in Health goals are twofold. First, to expand our programming so we can bring the healing power of the arts to more of our friends and neighbors in Morris County. Second, to advocate for and spread awareness of the health benefits of arts participation.
We are thrilled to be building upon existing resources in our county, collaborating with regional partners, and seeking guidance from leaders in the field to bring our goals to fruition.
Art Can Improve Brain Function and Mental Health
Key findings:
- Stress reduction: Engaging in art can reduce the stress hormone cortisol.
- Cognitive skills: Playing music can increase gray matter and synapses, which can help with learning and cognitive skills.
- Memory: Art can strengthen connections in the hippocampus, which is important for learning and memory.
- Empathy: Art can help improve empathy.
- Analytical thinking: Art can help improve analytical thinking and observation skills.
- Relaxation: Viewing art can help induce feelings of relaxation.
- Art therapy: Art therapy can help with PTSD and TBI recovery by reducing symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares. It can also help people process and make meaning from their experiences.
- Social connections: Art can help people connect with others and reduce feelings of isolation.
- Brain maturity: Art can strengthen connectivity and promote brain maturity
