Mental Health & Wellness Grants

The Indy Arts Council is offering Mental Health & Wellness Grants to provide essential support to artists and creative workers who are grappling with social and emotional challenges, specifically those leading to substance use and addiction. These grants aim to bridge the gap for individuals who lack sufficient resources to access vital treatment and preventative care. The program aligns with the Indy Arts Council's mission to support the well-being of the arts community, recognizing that mental health and freedom from addiction are fundamental to creative flourishing and a vibrant cultural sector. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are artists and creative workers aged 18 or older who reside in one of the specified counties within the Arts Council of Indianapolis’ service area: Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, Johnson, and Shelby. Eligibility also requires applicants to have worked professionally in the arts for at least one year and to be able to provide a Social Security Number, ITIN, or A-Number/USCIS Number. The impact goal is to empower these individuals to navigate and prevent substance use and addiction, thereby fostering a healthier and more resilient artistic community. The program's priorities and focuses include addressing, reducing, treating, and preventing substance use and addiction through direct access to care. Specifically, the grants cover crucial services such as one-on-one therapy, participation in support groups, art therapy, and engagement in wellness and mindfulness practices. This comprehensive approach underscores the program's commitment to holistic well-being, recognizing the diverse needs of creative individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges. The expected outcomes of the Mental Health & Wellness Grants include a measurable improvement in the mental health and well-being of grant recipients, a reduction in instances of substance use and addiction within the targeted artistic community, and increased access to vital support services for those in need. Grant awards will range from $250 to $750, providing direct financial assistance to facilitate access to the specified treatments and practices. While not explicitly detailed, the Indy Arts Council's strategic priority is implicitly to sustain and strengthen the arts ecosystem by ensuring the health and stability of its practitioners, operating on the theory that a healthy artist is a productive artist, contributing more robustly to the cultural landscape.