Art in Medicine and the Economy

The Institute for Education and the Arts is posting two articles relating to the power of the arts in medicine and the economy.

Art Boosts Alzheimer's Patients' Spirits
Washington Post - AP, 8/3/2006

"A program called Memories in the Making, begun in California in 1988, now has "dozens of chapters in 26 states and experts say the artwork has provided an extraordinary outlet for Alzheimer's patients. . . . There is research that suggests artwork helps Alzheimer's patients. A small study last year of 12 people, ages 65 to 85, found that weekly sessions helped Alzheimer's patients focus their attention for 30 to 45 minutes and that completing artwork brought them 'pleasure and satisfaction.' . . . The only activity that comes close to helping Alzheimer's patients the same way is music, the researchers said."

Read the complete Washington Post article here.

America in the Creative and Innovative Economy
Government Technology, 8/3/2006

"Most economists now seem to agree that the emerging so-called 'creative and innovative' economy represents America's salvation," says John Eger. "As we talk about the foreshadowing of a whole economy based upon creativity and innovation . . . we are more acutely aware of the importance of reinventing our business strategies, our corporations, our communities, our schools, our housing and land-use policies and more. . . . We need to redesign our high school and college curricula in particular, to focus on preparing students for this new competition."

Read the complete Government Technology article here.