SaludArte - Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona

Overview

SaludArte is a partnership between the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona and the Pima County Health Department that commissions artists to create community-driven art projects addressing substance use stigma in Pima County. The project unites public health and the arts to reduce stigma by fostering connection and understanding, with the goal of building strong, empathetic connections that bridge gaps and dissolve barriers.

The Work

An artist or artist team works with a cohort of community members with lived experience of substance misuse to create artwork that challenges stigma and fosters understanding across communities. The artwork is shaped by community knowledge and lived experience, positioning art as a tool for dialogue, connection, and public understanding.

Project Goals

• Reflect community values, strengths, and resilience
• Elevate the voices of diverse cultures, communities, and groups
• Promote community healing and social cohesion
• Raise consciousness about social justice issues
• Engage intergenerationally and across traditional age barriers
• Increase access to equitable health services
• Enhance health communications between the community and health professionals
• Enhance community participation and strengthen community relationships

Location

Pima County, Arizona