Taubman Museum of Art

The Taubman Museum of Art will develop the “Happy HeARTS” therapeutic art program to support individuals with intellectual, physical, and emotional disabilities in Southwest Virginia. The museum will partner with 17 social services organizations representing a range of individuals with disabilities and a professional art therapist to identify participant needs and develop programs. Graduate student interns from Radford University’s Occupational Therapy Program will assist in developing curricula and leading therapeutic art sessions. The museum will work with an external evaluator throughout the project to measure program efficacy and support its long-term sustainability. Program participants will learn new skills to enhance self-esteem; develop technical abilities to enable visual self-expression; enhance creative capabilities to support self-actualization; and build relationships with others through social interaction.