How Does Art Inspire Mental Health?
A study by Roger S. Ulrich, Ph.D., a behavioral scientist who conducts research on the effects of healthcare facilities on medical outcomes found that patients who looked out of a hospital room to a view went home at least one day sooner than those who looked at a brick wall. In addition, the patients with a view needed fewer doses of pain medication. Research continues to show that individuals with access to views of nature, art, or visual images are less stressed and anxious and more hopeful and optimistic. The healing benefits of nature and art also extend to the artist him/herself, families, and passers-by.
Viewing
Submitted art may be displayed on Embrace Life Council’s social media. Winning art pieces will be featured on our social media and in our 2017–2018 calendar and distributed Nunavut-wide.
Important Dates & Deadlines
May 29, 2017 June 12, 2017: Final date for submissions. All art must arrive at Embrace Life Council’s office by this date in order to be considered for judging.
June 5, 2017: Winners will be announced and prizes awarded.
Details
Artists Invited to Participate
Youth ages 12-19. Prizes will be awarded in two age categories: Ages 12-15 and Ages 16-19. Once submitted, all art becomes the possession of the Embrace Life Council.
Purpose
- To create art that inspires healthy living
- To provide youth with opportunities to explore creativity and create art to help others
Theme
Donate your original art that promotes and inspires healthy living. Entrants must complete the attached Entrant Release Form, which must include an artwork title and inspiration statement, of not more than 150 words, on how the art communicates that message to viewers. We cannot accept art that features a trademarked logo or features individuals other than the artist. Art that does not follow these instructions will be disqualified.
The following are suggested themes. If desired, artists may enter one piece of art for each theme (up to 12 entries per person).
Health Promotion Theme | Detail |
---|---|
Tobacco Reduction | What can people do instead of smoking? What would that look like? |
Sexual Health | What images would suggest ways to show respect and love for your partner to keep them safe and healthy? |
Nutrition | Eating healthy foods. What does healthy eating look like? |
Oral Health | Healthy Smiles. How can we maintain oral health? |
Safety | Injury Prevention. What does keeping ourselves safe at home and/or on the land look like? |
Environmental Health | What does healthy land and air look like? How do healthy public spaces look? |
Physical Activity | What does healthy physical activity look like? |
Immunization | How can we protect ourselves from illness? How might that look? |
Substance Use Awareness | What images promote awareness of substance use and abuse? |
Infection Prevention & TB Awareness | How can we prevent the spread of illness? |
Mental Health | What does positive mental health look like? How can we support each other to maintain mental health? |
Healthy Families | Healthy Families. What do healthy families look like? What might they be doing? |
Art Medium
Two-dimensional artwork will be accepted. It may be a painting, drawing, or mixed media creation on canvas or paper. Please do not submit glass or fragile media.
Size & Finishing
Horizontal or vertical art must not be smaller than 8.5” x 11”.
Judging Criteria
- Artist’s interpretation and ability to visually communicate a message of healthy living to the viewer
- Creativity, technical skills and craftsmanship
- Ability to communicate a compelling inspiration statement
Prizes
A panel of 4 judges with expertise in arts and/or healthcare will select winning entries. Winners in each age category will receive gift certificates for a Northern or Co-op store of the entrant’s choice in the following amounts: First prize $300; Second prize $200; Third prize $100; Honourable Mention $50.
Submit Your Entries Directly
If you live in Iqaluit, your entry may be delivered directly to the Embrace Life Council office on the first floor of the W.G. Brown Building. Ensure you include your signed release form.
If you choose to ship by mail, please send all entries (do not fold), including signed release form, to:
Embrace Life Council Art Contest
P.O. Box 2259
Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0
If you have any questions or require more information, please contact us at embracelife@inuusiq.com or 867-975-3233.
Resources
- Embrace Life Council of Nunavut announces its annual Mental Health Week Art Contest. Download PDF
- Embrace Life Council Art Contest Information Form and Release. Download PDF
- ᐃᓵᒃᓯᒪᒋᑦ ᐃᓅᓯᕐᒧᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᑐᓴᖅᑎᑦᑎᕗᑦ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᖃᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᕋᒍᑕᒪᖅ ᐃᓱᒪᑯᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᖏᓐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᕐᒥ ᓴᓇᐅᒐᓕᐊᓂᒃ ᓵᓚᒃᓴᕐᕕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ. Download PDF
- ᐃᓵᒃᓯᒪᒋᑦ ᐃᓅᓯᕐᒧᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓴᓇᐅᒐᓕᐊᓂᒃ ᓵᓚᒃᓴᕐᕕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᖃᐅᔨᑎᑦᑎᔾᔪᑎᓂᒃ ᑕᑕᑎᕆᐊᓕᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑐᓂᓯᔭᕐᓂᒃ ᓴᓇᐅᒐᓕᐊᕐᓂᒃ ᓴᑯᐃᔾᔪᑎᓂᒃ. Download PDF
Latest News
Check Out Our 2022/23 Newsletters!
November 22, 2023Inspiring Nunavummiuq of the Month – Meet Geela Saviakjuk
Every month IIKELC is highlighting inspiring and uplifting stories from Nunavummiut across the territory. This month we are proud to celebrate Kendall Aknavigak! Please enjoy her story below… My name is Geela Saviakjuk and I am from Rankin Inlet. I believe leadership is about inspiring others and leading by example to reach a common goal..
Youth Peer Leadership 2023
Applications for this year’s Youth Peer Leadership program are now open! Youth ages 19-25 in all Qikiqtani communities can now apply for the Youth Peer Leadership Program. Successful applicants will travel to Iqaluit from November 29- December 1, 2023. You can find more details about this program as well as the application forms at the bottom.
Champion of Mental Health 2023
We are honoured to announce that Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit Embrace Life Council has been named a Champion of Mental Health and awarded the Best Community Organization of 2023 by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health for providing great public service to Nunavummiut experiencing mental illness. Please read the full press release below.
Mental Health Art Contest 2023
The theme for this year’s contest is Memories! Please see the letter (found at the bottom of this page) for contest details and how to enter. The Mental Health Art Contest is an annual contest for Nunavut residents to create art that is meaningful to themselves, to others, and that inspires wellness in our communities..
Embrace Life Week 2023
September 10th is Embrace Life Day / World Suicide Prevention Day. Every year, the Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatiigit (IIKELC) honours this day with Nunavummiut to acknowledge the lives of our loved ones and to promote life. We would like to remind you that it is important to reach out during both the good and hard times..