The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County has given a $15,000 grant to Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation to support group art therapy sessions for patients at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
The grant will fund therapeutic art sessions for patients in the Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, as well as cancer patients and their families at the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center.
“Art therapy on the adult psychiatric unit provides patients a chance to express emotions that may be difficult to verbalize through a creative outlet,” said Justin Vann, recreational therapist at Cape Fear Valley Health. “Engaging in art in a nonjudgmental space allows patients to visualize how they feel without worrying about how realistic or how good their picture looks. When expectations are removed, patients truly experience the benefits of being creative and being their authentic selves.”
Sabrina Brooks, vice president of Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, said the grant helps sustain a program that has demonstrated measurable benefits for patients coping with serious illness and mental health challenges.
“We are grateful to the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County for their support of our art therapy program,” Brooks said. “Studies have shown art therapy can have a positive impact on both cancer patients and behavioral health patients as they undergo treatment. Art therapy provides a creative outlet that helps patients express the impact their diagnosis has on their lives. Our certified art therapist works with each patient individually to help them explore the emotions they may be feeling because of their health challenges.”
Brooks added the funding ensures patients continue to receive holistic, compassionate care alongside medical treatment.
“Because of this generous support, we can continue to offer this complementary program to the exceptional care being provided by our health care professionals,” she said. “The feedback we receive from participants demonstrates the positive impact this grant has on our patients and their well-being.”
The grant reflects the Arts Council’s commitment to improving quality of life through the arts. Founded in 1973, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County supports individual artists, cultural organizations and arts education programs that strengthen the community. Each year, the Arts Council provides funding, advocacy and resources for dozens of projects that enrich the cultural landscape of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.