The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of the Arts has announced the recipients of its inaugural “Arts for Healthy Minds” joint grant program in collaboration with the Center for Healthy Minds. The awards total $35,000 including $25,000 from the Center for Healthy Minds and $10,000 from the Division of the Arts. Following a rigorous review process, the selection committee awarded five (5) individuals drawn from across faculty, staff and students. They will be honored publicly at a special awards gala on May 2, 2024 at the Hamel Music Center.
Professor Ahna Skop, faculty member from the Department of Genetics, Life Sciences Communication & Art and Claudia Guzman, Director of the Multicultural Student Center will each receive $10,000 for their respective proposals. Erin Celello, Literacy Instructor and Director of Odyssey Beyond Wars will receive $6,000 for her project, while the remaining two awards will be presented to Lillian Smith, Graduate Student in Counseling Psychology and Christine Holm, Communications Specialist, in the amount of $5,000 and $4,000 respectively.
The selection committee was pleased with the quality and diversity of the proposals received for this inaugural joint grant program. “The proposals reflect broad areas of the arts that organically focus on well-being and flourishing,” noted Chris Walker, Director of the Division of the Arts. “In addition, the range and reach of impact – from staff, students, community, alumni and participants – fulfills the grant’s mission of inclusivity.” Dr. Richard Davidson, Director of the Center for Healthy Minds adds, “We are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to support these innovative, interdisciplinary initiatives and are confident that these projects will make meaningful contributions to the UW–Madison community and beyond.”
The selection committee comprised representatives from the Arts including Professors Chris Walker, Grant Nelsestuen and Helen Lee, and Dr. Richard Davidson, Dr. Tony Chambers and Heather Harris represented the Center for Healthy Minds.