Center for Arts in Medicine

Professional Development

Arts In Health Intensive 2023

Arts in Health Intensive 2023: 

  • Online | May 8th-11th 

  • In-person | May 16th-18th

Registration is open through April 28th!

For over 20 years, this world-renowned professional development program has supported creatives from all walks of life in exploring the roles of the arts in both healthcare and public health contexts. Our multi-modal, interdisciplinary program welcomes people from all levels of experience to learn how the arts can enhance health. This is an opportunity to learn, network, and grow professionally with the guidence of leaders in the Arts in Health field! The images above from previous years denote the kinds of activities and workshops participants will experience.  Follow this link to register!

Program Overview

In 2023, the Arts in Health Intensive program will take place over two weeks. Week 1, May 8th through May 11th, will be offered fully online and synchronously each day from 11 am to 5 pm EST. The program will give an overview of the field of arts in health followed by a focus on four key areas of concentration: practice, administration, education, and research. Participants will engage in four days of online learning with faculty and staff from the UF Center for Arts in Medicine and UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine.  

Those who attend the online intensive can join us for Week 2, from May 16th through May 18th, to deepen their learning in an area of specialization. Over three days, in-person attendees will choose one area of four concentrations to explore further, working in small cohorts with arts in health scholars and practitioners from the UF Center for Arts in Medicine and the UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine program. The areas of concentration include: practice, administration, research, OR education in arts in health. Participants will visit campus and hospital spaces, participate in experiential workshops, and yield concrete deliverables related to their area of focus.

Note: If you complete the full online experience during Week 1, you also have the opportunity to attend a 3-day experience in-person during Week 2. Follow this link to register!

What to Expect 

Participants will embark on an engaging and highly experiential dive into the field of arts in health. Expect days filled with creative engagement, embodied learning, hands-on skill-building, and meaningful dialogue. Our faculty and presenters represent decades of collective experience, providing first-hand knowledge and insights into the world of arts in health. You will leave with a deeper knowledge of the field and an array of resources for developing or advancing careers that engage the arts in healthcare and public health settings. This co-creative experience builds a lasting network of peers who share your passion for using the arts to enhance health and wellbeing. 

Week 1: Virtual | May 8th-11th  

Spend the first week in experiential online workshops exploring these Arts in Health topics: 

  • Historical and Theoretical Foundations 
  • Professional Practice  
  • Professional Pathways 
  • Compassion Fatigue and Self-Care 
  • Program Administration 
  • Developing and Sustaining Equitable Partnerships 
  • Research and Evaluation  
  • Observe Artist Rounds with UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine  

While the intensive is best experienced as a comprehensive two-week program, the online experience provides substantial education and training. This week also includes online modules with additional training topics and resources. 

Week 2: In-Person | May 16th-18th 

Spend 3 days in Gainesville, FL with UF Center for Arts in Medicine faculty and UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine artists and administrative team. 

  • Tour UF Health Shands Hospital and Arts in Medicine programs 
  • Experiential workshops in the visual arts, music, dance, theatre, and narrative/storytelling 
  • Participants will create a project or program plan related to their area of specialization to deliver in a culminating pitch session 

*Note: The in-person component is only available to participants that participate in the full online experience during week one. Apply for Week 2 by April 15th to secure your spot! 

Week 2 | Arts in Health Areas of Specialization

Administrative Track

Participants will explore all aspects of arts in health programs both in healthcare and community settings. Using a collaborative, five-phase design process through the lens of empathy and purpose, the sessions will explore structures for development and implementation, gain feedback from peers and professionals and provide individual program models with an emphasis on creative innovation and impact. Participants will have the opportunity to rehearse a “pitch” of their envisioned program to a new network of colleagues in the burgeoning field of arts in health.

Education Track

Participants will develop their own vision and concrete plan for an arts in health course or program. This hands-on, collaborative experience will explore key skills and elements of pedagogy and curriculum development in arts in health through lecture, small groups, and individual work sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to rehearse a “pitch” of their envisioned course or program to a new network of colleagues in the burgeoning field of arts in health.

Practice Track

Participants will experience an intensive immersion into developing your own vision and concrete, step-by-step plan for an arts in health practice, project, or program. This hands-on, collaborative experience will feature exploration of key skills and elements of professional practice in arts in health through lecture, small groups, and individual work sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to rehearse a “pitch” of their envisioned practice program to a new network of colleagues in the burgeoning field of arts in health.

Research Track

Participants will experience an intensive immersion into the development of a research plan, proposal, or protocol. This hands-on work will be framed by exploration of key arts in health literature and learning about research methods and approaches relevant to arts in health practice. Participants will have the opportunity to rehearse a “pitch” of their envisioned research proposal to a new network of colleagues in the burgeoning field of arts in health.

Registration and Costs 

Attend the Arts in Health Intensive for training, networking, and professional development in the field of arts in health. Space is limited; spots are available first-come, first-serve! Register today!

Single Week – Online Program 

  • $1500 for professionals / general public 
  • $1000 for college students and Center alumni

Two Weeks - Full Program – Online and In-person Program

  • $2000 for professionals / general public 
  • $1500 for college students and Center alumni

*UF AIM graduate students seeking graduate credit should not register using general public registration. Please email camadmissions@arts.ufl.edu  for more information.

Who Attends 

Anyone interested in using the arts to make a difference in the lives and health of others would be a great fit for the Arts in Health Intensive. Though not an exhaustive list, in previous years folks from the following areas have attended: 

  • Artists and creatives 
  • Health and public health professionals 
  • Program administrators 
  • Students 
  • Educators and researchers 
  • Policy-makers 
  • Advocates and activists 
  • Community organizers 
  • Social entrepreneurs 

Let's use the arts to transform health.
Let's create a healthier world.


For more information, contact the Center for Arts in Medicine at  CAM@arts.ufl.edu . 

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