|
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) has assembled a community-wide Arts Care Package Campaign to provide assisted living communities and hospital patients with a diverse array of creative experiences including music, craft kits, journaling and DIY arts projects, all designed for residents to enjoy from the comfort of their own rooms.
The individually wrapped and sanitized packages were all assembled from an overwhelming response of donations from local artists, makers and musicians, as well as SAACA partner Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange. The program was envisioned to provide much needed support during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a response to the timely need of our most vulnerable populations during a time of isolation. |
|
A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT MUSIC THERAPY & PTSD
In association with the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, "Let It Ring" is a documentary collaboration between a number of organizations across the country including Warrior Songs, Guitars for Vets, Flutes for Vets and many more who helped bring this story to light. The project, written and directed by David Seeber, is a short documentary about the profound and powerful impact that music therapy can have on veterans struggling with PTSD. This intimate film brings together the personal stories of veterans and organizations that are working hand in hand to bring the gift of music to those who need it most. SAACA is proud to be featured in the documentary and will be supporting the 2020 release with featured viewings and discussions with the director at CATALYST Arts & Maker Space. “AFTER VIETNAM, I SLIPPED INTO A PTSD CONDITION FOR OVER 45 YEARS; WITHOUT THE MUSIC I WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED.”
— BEAU GERARD, VETERAN & MUSICIAN A TOOL FOR HEALING — AND DEBATE
"The arts have long been turned to as a tool for healing by many for a number of psychological and physical conditions, but it continues to face scrutiny by some in the public and medical communities. Some supporters take the term “arts therapy” more loosely, believing in a more spiritual and personal process of healing through the arts. Other supporters argue that “arts therapy” can only truly be called “therapy” if it’s strictly administrated by a certified and educated professional. When we started production on Let It Ring, our stance was simple — show the raw stories and impact of music therapy from those who have experienced it firsthand. The choice to focus specifically on music therapy’s effects on veterans suffering from PTSD arose from the overwhelming number of inspiring stories that came to us from the moment the project began. Our goal is to encourage more people to explore tools like music therapy so that, hopefully, we can see increased funding and thus even greater developments throughout the field." - David Seeber, Paczka Digital |
|
|
In 2015, the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance partnered with MUSIC & MEMORY℠, to bring this life changing program to Southern Arizona.
SAACA administers the program in local memory care facilities in the region. The approach is simple, elegant and effective: Set up personalized music playlists for those in memory care programs and residences and download the selections on iPods or other digital devices. When played, these musical favorites tap deep memories not lost to dementia and can bring participants back to life, enabling them to feel like themselves again, to converse, socialize and stay present. |
|
