Last August, members of the NorCal Arts & Health Alliance now known as Arts & Health California, came together for a "Dream Retreat" to discuss the future of health care and how the arts can be integrated as a creative healing force. Arts & Health California is an alliance and resource hub of health professionals, artists, and program directors in California who are joining efforts to forge future collaborations in the integration and engagement of Arts & Health and well-being. Dr. Alan Siegel, director of the Alliance, said "the goal is to integrate art and healing fully into our health systems". In realizing that organizations were not connected, he and others feel that building a network is important in bringing attention to Arts & Health and making it mainstream.

The "Dream Retreat" included the spark to planning "The Future of Healthcare Conference 2014: The Role of Art in Health and Creative Change" held at SF State University on November 8th. 

Keynote speakers included: 

• Naj Wikoff, who talked about the history of arts in healthcare and how creating a healing environment not only benefits staff but also creates an experience where patients feel like a whole person rather than a disease
• Doug Banner, a professional storyteller, spoke about the power of stories, its ability to change perspectives and help us find meaning in conflict, illness and loss.
• Gary Malkin, an Emmy-award winning composer, who brought an awareness of how music is medicine and encouraged everyone to acknowledge their internal soundtrack and reclaim music's role as a catalyst for wellness
• Ilene Serlin, a dance- and psychotherapist spoke about how dance encourages new behaviors and serves as a vehicle to integrate body, mind and spirit
• Aiko Yoshino, an Assistant Professor in SF Dept of Recreation, Parks and Tourism, stressed the importance of engaging with nature and play. She cleverly composed the audience in creating the sound of thunder and rain using our hands and body.

One of the most touching moments of the conference was when artist Cindy Perlis, director of the UCSF's Art for Recovery program, introduced patients, including Elizabeth Jameson, who shared her story of how art helped save her life during her struggle with multiple sclerosis. 

The conference offered an interactive lunch with different art stations for attendees to engage and attendees had workshops on how to tap into art as a healing force and forge creative change. 

"We are all healers and artists" was the mantra through out the day.

Article in Golden Gate Express