Adult Students Reduce Stress Through Creativity and Community in Arts+ Classes

According to The American Institute of Stress, around 75% of U.S. adults experience stress, with 49% saying they experience stress on a daily basis. Thankfully, Arts+ is here to help adults cope. A study by Drexel University found that creating art for only 45 minutes significantly reduced cortisol, the body's main stress hormone. Plus, the study found this to be true at any ability, proving that the benefits are in the act of creation, not a completed project.

Arts+ Director of Philanthropy Haley Rafferty was a student in Tom Thoune's Collage 101 class. "Thinking of nothing but colors, scissors, and glue was a total calming mental reset," says Haley.

Additionally, the arts have been proven to help adults build community, which also lowers symptoms of stress. “Art is always influenced by a person's life outside the studio, their hobbies and interests, lifestyle and family makeup,” says Arts+ Director of Visual Art Programs Caroline Tippette. “This naturally comes out as people create and work on ideas and allows classmates to connect beyond the superficial and through the images and objects they make. That ability to be open and express yourself allows a truly judgment-free zone for collaboration and understanding.”

Arts+ offers a variety of programs for adults to choose from. Workshops, including IDK Gouache Painting and IDK Case Bookbinding, meet for three hours on a single Saturday, providing students with the opportunity to explore their creativity by trying out a new hobby. Group classes, including Mosaic 101, Special Topics in Laser Cutting: Ornament Creation, and Guitar 101, meet once a week for 4-6 weeks, allowing students to dive deep into new skills and build comradery with fellow students.

To learn more and register today, visit artsplus.org/adult.