Philanthropist Laurie M. Tisch announced that her Illumination Fund‘s Arts in Health Initiative will fund The Creative Center at University Settlement.

The Creative Center uses arts participation to promote creative aging and as an outlet for patients and survivors of cancer and other serious diseases. As an awardee of this grant, The Creative Center will advance core programs, including Artists in Residence at hospitals in New York City, daily workshops in visual, performing, and literary arts, and a Training Institute for Artists and Administrators in Healthcare and Creative Aging.

“We know from decades of research that the arts have an important role to play in reducing stress, helping individuals in their healing process and in building healthier communities. We’re pleased to be able to help increase access to these services to more people and communities who can benefit,” said Laurie M. Tisch.

In 2018 the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund launched a $10-million multi-year initiative to support organizations working on health issues that impact New York communities that utilize the arts as a tool for healing, with a special emphasis on improving access and addressing disparities in health outcomes. The initiative highlights the value of multiple artistic disciplines, including visual art, dance, music, theater, and film, and focuses on three main issues: mental health stigma, trauma, aging-related diseases, as well as caring for caregivers and frontline healthcare staff.