The North Carolina Arts for Health Network was formed to promote, sustain, encourage, improve and expand the incorporation of the arts in healing and well being in North Carolina. A hallmark of NCAH Training Institutes is to assist both established and emerging organizations with their growth and development. Each interactive Institute is designed for artists, arts administrators, expressive arts therapists, healthcare providers and others interested in the most relevant topics that address current and future standards and trends in the field. The curriculum at each TI supports leadership skills and program development that:

	Provide key basic concepts in arts in healthcare administration and programming
	Offer continuing education for those already in the field
	Engage in hands-on training for successful programs
	Create strategic networking opportunities

The core services of NCAH include an annual Training Institute and this website serving all aspects of arts for health in North Carolina.

The NCAH Website

The NCAH website serves both the arts and the healthcare communities in North Carolina by featuring examples of existing NC arts for health programs. In addition, the website includes information about the annual Training Institute, relevant Resource Materials, links with the North Carolina Arts Council, North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), the Society for the Arts in Healthcare, and other related sites. NCAH is a viable, growing network where artists, healthcare providers, patients and their families exchange information, talent and support for contribution of the arts toward the health and well being of our state.

The Coming Up page posts new information that may be of interest to our members : upcoming conferences and events, additions to our website, new contacts, new resources, etc.

Please sign our Guest Book to be on our mailing list for future notices and networking possibilities.

If you are involved with or know of an arts for health program or individual who might be eligible to be included in the website, please contact NCAH or send them our web address.

The content of the NC Arts for Health website is monitored and updated by the NCAH Website committee. Technical support and maintenance is provided by UniqueOrn Enterprises. Please send questions through the NCAH guestbook.

The Story behind NCAH

NC Arts for Health grew out of a series of informal meetings of representatives of arts in healthcare programs across the state over the past two decades. The first formal gathering took place during the Society for the Arts in Healthcare’s annual conference in Durham in 1996, hosted by Duke University Medical Center Cultural Services. Discussions about establishing a North Carolina organization led to requests to the NC Arts Council from 1) Cultural Services to support the development of the website and 2) New Hanover Regional Medical Center Healing Arts Network to create a model for an annual leadership development and training institute. Both requests were funded in 2000.

In February 2001, a focus group convened at New Hanover Regional Medical Center to identify goals and objectives, to outline a framework for the statewide organization, and to begin planning for the training institute. The focus group’s efforts resulted in “Scope of the Arts for Health.”

We invite your participation and feedback in this exciting time of growth and service.

Board of Directors and Officers 2007-2008