At a time of financial bailout, mortgage crises, healthcare quandaries, and rising unemployment, the upcoming inauguration still promises at least a short vacation from our national woes and a day to revel in feelings of hope and the promise of change. Despite the continuing fiscal drama, a bill has been submitted that calls for the creation of a Secretary of the Arts who, according to the job description, will increase knowledge of the arts on a national level and exposure of American artists on an international level. Musician, composer, and producer Quincy Jones [aka Q] wants you to sign a petition to urge soon-to-be-President Obama to appoint a cabinet-level Secretary of Arts. Would this ultimately elevate the arts in our society or would it just renew old controversies about artistic freedom?

Martin Ramirez is one of many creative individuals defined as an "outsider artist," someone who is self-taught and making art outside the mainstream art world. He also was diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent much of his adult life in an institution. A recent article in the New York Times notes newly discovered Ramirez works, pondering once again the longstanding perception that artistic creativity and mental illness are somehow inevitably linked. Hey NYT, it's time to lay to rest this worn-out free association that chains artists and their creativity to emotional disorders.   Read More

Gratitude is a practice of giving thanks, appreciating others, and acknowledging the wonders of life. It's that time of the year to make a gratitude adjustment and commit random acts of art.  Read More

What's at the core of art, music, dance, drama, writing, and play as healing arts? It's simple -- hope. Read More