The Collaborative for Health Arts and Civic Transformation
Our work

How we work

Four pillars that work together. Most of our projects touch more than one.

Health & Wellbeing

We use art to carry health messages that people remember, from chronic disease education to everyday prevention. Art also offers relief from stress and supports mental health.

Arts Integration

Murals, photography, music and storytelling are built into how our programs run, not added on top as decoration.

Civic Voice

Helping residents take part in the public decisions that shape their neighborhoods and their health.

Education

Arts-integrated programs for young people, built around local knowledge and community experience.

An artist works from scaffolding on a large portrait mural on a brick wall
In practice

What this looks like

Our projects fall under this framework: arts-integrated health and wellbeing programs, youth leadership and family engagement, school partnerships and student wellness, community navigation and systems access, civic engagement and community leadership, and cross-sector collaboration paired with shared evaluation.

Specific projects are added as coalition partners and priorities are confirmed.

See our projects →
School murals

Arts integration in schools

A long school wall painted with rainbow stripes and faces in profile
Shearn Elementary.
A school building painted with a wide rainbow mural reading Tu voz importa
Milne Elementary.

Art by Angel Quesada.

Arts in the neighborhood

Public art, shown with its artists

Display screens showing mural names, artists and locations, with a visitor alongside
Mural work shown with its artists and locations.
People gathered around a table of food with mural displays behind them
Neighbors at a community event.
Two attendees talking at a community event
Partners and supporters at a community event.
How we work together

Six core values

We work through partnership, transparency, shared power, and community knowledge — guided by six core values.

Community-Led

Lasting change begins with community voice, lived experience, and shared leadership.

Equity & Dignity

Advancing health equity by addressing systemic barriers and honoring the dignity of every individual and culture.

Creativity as a Catalyst

Arts and cultural expression as powerful tools for healing, connection, learning, and civic participation.

Collaboration & Shared Power

Partnership rooted in transparency, shared governance, and mutual accountability; no single organization can do this work alone.

Cultural Grounding & Inclusion

Culturally responsive practices that support inclusion, belonging, and understanding across differences.

Learning & Accountability

Reflection, evaluation, and continuous learning to strengthen impact and steward resources responsibly.

Bring us a problem

Most of our work starts with a partner bringing us something their community needs. If that sounds like you, get in touch.

Partner With Us