Artful Connections is a free art engagement program that promotes well-being, self-expression, and social connections through museum and community-based activities. Through this program, participants experience gallery-based activities, artmaking, or a combination of both. Artful Connections activities are inspired by artwork on display at the TMA and provide opportunities for participants to make personal connections with the art. Artful Connections strives to create a non-judgmental environment where participants can express, create, and have meaningful art experiences.
Have questions? Please email Connections@TampaMuseum.org
Art-Therapy-Informed Program Policies
Program Participation
Artful Connections works with organizations within the Tampa Bay area serving individuals experiencing socio-economic challenges, trauma and stress, social isolation, neurodegenerative conditions and/or memory-related conditions. The program serves people of all ages, from preschoolers to older adults. Examples of participating groups include veterans, individuals in recovery, support groups, assisted living facilities, and after-school programs. There is an annual application process for groups to participate in the program, and groups are selected based on a rubric of criteria and program capacity. Applications for Artful Connections participation open in November of each year, and group selection occurs in December.
In addition to partnerships with area organizations, Artful Connections offers a monthly, virtual art-viewing and discussion session for the general public.
Program Offerings
Art has the power to bring people together, foster dialogue, and support emotional well-being. Artful Connections creates a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where participants can explore their creativity and build meaningful connections with others.
Gallery-only Experience
A guided gallery experience which may include seated discussions, interactive activities, or a combination of both (60 minutes).
Gallery with Artmaking
An abbreviated 30-minute gallery experience followed by 60 minutes of artmaking in the Vinik Family Education Center at TMA.
Virtual Art Viewing and Discussion
A slow-looking and guided discussion about works of art on display at TMA (60 minutes).
Outreach Artmaking
A TMA facilitator travels to your site and leads an artmaking activity (60 mins). You may add up to 2 museum visits a year with this option.
Art Showcase
Groups participating in an artmaking offering will have the opportunity to display artwork in an annual showcase in the Vinik Family Education Center at TMA. This showcase will feature artwork created during Artful Connections activities, including individual and collaborative pieces.
Areas of Focus
Participating groups choose from the following areas of focus for programming:
- Mindfulness: Focuses on integrating mindfulness into artmaking and art looking, including relaxation and focusing on the present moment.
- Self-Esteem: Focuses on using art as a vehicle for self-reflection, identifying interests and values, and highlighting personal strengths.
- Emotions: Focuses on using art as an outlet for identifying and expressing emotions. Activities may include associating colors with emotions, finding metaphors in artwork, and identifying emotions within artwork.
- Art Process: Focuses on the journey of creating an art piece rather than the aesthetic of the final product. Artmaking activities encourage experimentation with art materials, sensory experiences, and the enjoyment of freely creating art.
In-Person Open Group for Memory Care, Caregivers, and Loved Ones
Connections is presented in partnership with the USF Honors College and is generously supported in part by the Gobioff Foundation, Tampa General Hospital, the Tampa Museum of Art Foundation in Memory of Jean Divers, TECO Energy and TMS of South Tampa.
Supported in Part By:
