Welcome to Creative Wellbeing, our newest initiative to support the professional development of artists.
WHAT IS CREATIVE WELLBEING?
It is a response to the needs of both our health care system and our community: a creative solution to support the physical and mental wellbeing of Pinellas County residents. Through a collaborative ecosystem of artists, physicians, healthcare institutions, art therapists, and our cultural community, Creative Wellbeing will create a net of wellbeing engagements across art genres and modalities in healthcare settings. Creative Wellbeing takes a holistic, community-based approach to positively shaping a wide range of wellbeing conditions. We approach wellbeing comprehensively and strategically and have created a model for bridging the gap between artists and hospitals, while strengthening recognition of the arts as a vital tool for health and wellbeing.
HOW CAN ARTISTS BECOME A PART OF CREATIVE WELLBEING?
We are opening applications for the Creative Wellbeing Artist Program on Nov. 1. We will select 25 artists as part of our initial cohort. There is no fee to take the program; the selected artists will receive a $100 stipend.
Graduates of the 10-week course will receive training in the following areas, using the National Organization of Arts in Health Core Curriculum for Arts in Health Professionals:
- Mental Health First Aid Training
- Clinical Safety Protocol Training
- Code of Ethics
- HIPAA Training
Artists will also receive training to professionally use our Impact Labs, which provide equipment for engagements in healthcare settings. Our Impact Labs are designed to support positive wellbeing for patients across music, storytelling, movement, dance, meditation, and visual arts.
Eligibility: Applications must be residents of Pinellas County and must be 18 years of age.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
Classes are held once a week, primarily in the evenings, and will all be held in St. Petersburg. Future cohorts will be hosted in mid and north Pinellas. We anticipate the course requiring approximately 30-35 learning hours.
Application Opens: Nov. 1, 2026
End Date: Nov. 30, 2026
Artist Notifications: Dec. 15, 2026
Classes Begin: Jan. 5, 2027
Classes End: March 9, 2027
Artist Stipend: $100
To apply, click here or on the Apply Now button on the bottom of the page.
Creative Wellbeing Office Hours and Questions:
Prior to submitting your application, you are welcome to meet with a Creative Wellbeing staff member to ask questions and learn more about the program during the following times and dates:
Wednesday, Nov. 4 4-6 pm: https://meet.google.com/ijt-fekc-deo
Friday, Nov. 6 10 am -1 pm: https://meet.google.com/wsf-mxak-rms
Wednesday, Nov. 11 3-7 pm: https://meet.google.com/ivy-ufjz-gfu
Thursday, Nov. 26 3-6 pm: https://meet.google.com/fdc-fdvf-xnh
Friday, Nov. 27 10 am-1 pm: https://meet.google.com/qru-camy-tbs
- You may also submit questions to clarify parts of the application directly to Creative Pinellas at margaret.murray@creativepinellas.org. Remember that the final date to submit this application is November 30, 2026. If you are planning to apply during the final weekend the application is open, we’ll need to receive any requests by November 27, in the morning, if not some days earlier.
- Please note: Technical difficulties can be such a headache, but unfortunately, we are unable to extend the application close date, even due to technical difficulties.
- For technical questions with Submittable, the best way to receive support is to contact Submittable directly; we find that they are very responsive! The following page has articles and a way to email support: https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/.
Creative Wellbeing is made possible through a partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, the Crayton Pruitt Foundation, and the Howd Family Foundation.
