Our project

ART THERAPY AS A COMPLEMENTARY APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH

The Artruism Foundation developed Art Prescription®, an innovative approach designed to make art therapy more accessible to individuals experiencing certain mental health challenges.

As part of a research project conducted in collaboration with Concordia University, healthcare professionals can refer eligible participants to a structured program consisting of 12 free group art therapy workshops, each lasting between 1.5 and 2 hours and offered either in person or online.

Participation in the research project is entirely voluntary and is conducted according to the procedures and requirements established by the research team.

The objective of Art Prescription® is to provide an additional resource that can complement the existing continuum of care while promoting psychological well-being, creative expression, and social connection.

AN APPROACH DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH EXPERTS FROM CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

As part of the development of Art Prescription®, the Artruism Foundation worked closely with Dr. Janis Timm-Bottos, Professor at Concordia University and founder of the Art Hives model, which has been established in numerous communities across Canada and internationally.

This collaboration contributed to the development and implementation of a research protocol specifically designed for Art Prescription®, with the objective of rigorously evaluating the program’s effects and documenting its potential as a complementary approach to mental health care.

This research has now been completed, and the findings are expected to be available in Fall 2026.

Art Prescription® is a distinct program from Art Hives. It is based on a structured art therapy approach delivered by qualified professionals and evaluated through scientific research.

NO ARTISTIC SKILLS ARE REQUIRED

Participants do not need to know how to draw or paint.

The workshops are designed to allow each participant to explore their creativity at their own pace in a welcoming, safe, and non-judgmental environment.

Painting, pastels, drawing, collage, recycled materials, and other creative media may be used to encourage personal expression and artistic exploration.

No previous artistic experience or talent is required — only curiosity and an openness to the creative process.

OUR WORKSHOP PHILOSOPHY

Art Prescription® workshops are guided by principles of accessibility, inclusion, and respect for every participant.

Our approach aims to:

welcome individuals with or without previous artistic experience;
encourage personal expression, creativity, and the discovery of individual strengths;
promote autonomy, learning, sharing, and social interaction;
provide a supportive environment that encourages creative exploration; and
promote, whenever possible, the responsible use of art supplies and recycled materials.

A STRUCTURED AND PROFESSIONALLY SUPERVISED APPROACH

Art Prescription® and its workshops were developed with contributions from professionals in fields including medicine and creative arts therapies.

Standardized procedures and workshop guidelines have been established to help ensure a consistent, professional, and respectful approach for all participants.

Professionals who have contributed to the development of the approach include Dr. Janis Timm-Bottos, PhD, ATR-BC; Rachel Chainey, MA; Carmen Oprea, Art Therapist; and Dr. Giuseppe Mazza, MD.

OUR ART THERAPISTS

Our art therapists are qualified professionals who have completed a university master’s degree specializing in art therapy, a therapeutic discipline that integrates the creative process and artistic expression within a professional therapeutic setting.

They support participants throughout the creative process and encourage personal expression, reflection, and the exploration of emotions and lived experiences.

Within the Art Prescription® program, their role is to provide a professional, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for individuals experiencing challenges such as anxiety, stress, mild to moderate depressive symptoms, or social isolation.

WHO IS ART PRESCRIPTION® FOR?

As part of the current research project, the program is intended for eligible adults residing in Quebec who may be experiencing:

anxiety;
mild to moderate symptoms of depression; or
social isolation.

Based on the eligibility criteria established for the research project, participants may be referred to 12 group art therapy workshops, offered either in person or virtually.

MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

Mental health challenges can also arise alongside physical illnesses, chronic health conditions, or particularly difficult periods in a person’s life.

For example, receiving a diagnosis or living with a chronic illness may be associated with anxiety, depressive symptoms, stress, or feelings of social isolation.

Art Prescription® therefore seeks to explore the potential of art therapy as a complementary approach for different populations, including individuals living with cardiovascular disease, a cancer diagnosis, and other health conditions that may have an impact on psychological well-being.

Art Prescription® is not intended to replace medical, psychological, or psychiatric care when such care is required. Rather, the program is designed as a complementary resource that can be integrated into the continuum of care and contribute to participants’ overall well-being.

PARTICIPATE IN ART PRESCRIPTION®

12 group art therapy workshops — 2 hours each
Offered in person
Led by qualified professionals
No artistic experience required

Learn more about the program, eligibility criteria, and research project at ArtPrescription.org.

SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES

Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 18, Issues 3–4, June–August 2010, pp. 160–170.
Education of Creative Art Therapy to Cancer Patients: Evaluation and Effects. Journal of Cancer Education, 23(2), 80–84, 2008.
Psycho-Oncology: Journal of the Psychological, Social and Behavioral Dimensions of Cancer, 16(11), 980–984, 2007.
Depression and Anxiety in Cardiac Disease. Psychiatric Times, Vol. 33, No. 12, December 26, 2016.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 39(1), 1–11, 2014.
Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts / Arts & Health research resources.
Mahendran et al., Trials (2017), 18:324. DOI: 10.1186/s13063-017-2080-7.