Advised by acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming as advisor and advocate, LA Opera Connects organized the inaugural Los Angeles County Arts and Health Week from June 12 through June 18, 2022, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture and the World Health Organization’s Healing Arts InitiativeFeaturing presentations from organizations around the county, the events examined the impact of the arts in local health communities, the connections between the arts, wellness and recovery and the many resources available to Angelenos.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL 2022 ARTS AND HEALTH WEEK RECAP:
2022 Arts and Health Week Recap

2022 Schedule

LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARTS AND HEALTH WEEK SUMMIT

On June 15, 2022, LA Opera Connects hosted a day-long summit at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall. The convening highlighted presentations from organizations engaging in this important work and the diverse resources available for those seeking to make arts and health a part of their mission. Experience the summit by listening to the audio recordings below.

WELCOME

Christopher Koelsch – President and CEO, LA Opera
This included a written statement from Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson (Chair, National Endowment for the Arts) recognizing the significance of the event and the ongoing work in the field.

OPENING REMARKS
Renée Fleming – Internationally acclaimed soprano and Advisor for Special Projects, LA Opera
Reaffirming the power of the arts in health, including spotlighting new initiatives, economic impact analyses and toolkits being developed to standardize research. 


REMARKS AND PRESENTATION
Kristin Sakoda – Director, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
Framing remarks and a presentation highlighting Los Angeles County initiatives advancing the intersection of arts and health.
View Presentation Here

PANEL DISCUSSION - TRANSFORMATIVE INITIATIVES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Addressing inequities and the role of the arts in healing and well-being with Shavonda Webber-Christmas, Heidi Duckler, Denise Grande and Karen Mack.
View Presentations Here


A CONVERSATION WITH KRISTIN SAKODA, DR. BARBARA FERRER AND DR. CHRISTINA GHALY
Healing and health in the pandemic; Los Angeles County leaders discuss the power of the arts to support health equity, transformational change and well-being for all communities.


REMARKS AND PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Christopher Bailey – Arts and Health Lead, World Health Organization
Insights about the World Health Organization’s Healing Arts Initiative and an excerpt from The Vanishing Point.

Bailey AAHW

MICRO-PRESENTATIONS
Spotlighting the work of arts and health organizations across Los Angeles County.
View presentations here

FIRST SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT: Plaza de la Raza – Tomas Benitez, Development Director


SECOND SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT: Koreatown Youth + Community Center – Katherine Kim, Koreatown Storytelling Program Director and David Lee, Screenwriting Leader


THIRD SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT: UCLA Health – Ellen Wilson, Executive Director of Therapy Services


FOURTH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT: Able ARTS Work – Helen Dolas, Founder and CEO


FIFTH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT: Lineage Performing Arts Center – Brian Elerding, Executive Director

PANEL DISCUSSION
Addressing questions from the summit attendees.

CLOSING ACTIVITY
An experiential breath and rhythm activity to promote wellness and community led by Helen Dolas with support from LA Opera Connects teaching artists Michele Patzakis and Nani Sinha.
Closing AAHW