Arizona Arts Rx - Arizona Arts

Navigating academic demands, social changes, and the pressures of college life can take a toll on emotional well-being, often leading to stress, anxiety, or loneliness. At the University of Arizona, a new initiative led by Arizona Arts is approaching student mental health in a creative way — by tapping into the healing power of the arts.

While traditional mental health services provide critical support, creative expression can offer a meaningful complement — helping students process emotions, reduce stress, and build healthy coping strategies.

Through a partnership with Art Pharmacy – a national organization focused on mental health – trained health care providers and care teams on campus will prescribe arts and culture-based interventions. These creative prescriptions will support students facing a range of health concerns.

The partnership brings together several campus units, including the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, Student Affairs, Campus Health and Student Success and Retention Innovation.

What is Art Pharmacy?

Art Pharmacy is a company that helps support students’ mental health and well-being by connecting them to arts and culture experiences. Things like art classes, museums, dance workshops, theater performances, and more!

What is an “arts prescription”?

An “arts prescription” is a set of community-based engagements in arts, culture and nature. Each engagement is called a “dose.” Working closely with an Art Pharmacy Care Navigator, you’ll identify and participate in arts and culture activities that align with your interests and needs. When you reach the end of your prescription you can get a refill for additional doses.

Who can participate?

Arizona Arts Rx is open to all University of Arizona students.

How much does it cost?

Students who are referred to Art Pharmacy by their CAPS provider receive access to the program at no cost to them as part of a partnership with the University of Arizona.

How do these engagements help with health?

Doing fun community-based engagements in art, culture and in nature can help people feel less lonely. It can also help with mental health symptoms like anxiety or depression. Art Pharmacy uses these modalities to support your health and well-being overall.

What kinds of partners are in the network?

Arizona Arts Rx has many partners on and off the University of Arizona campus. Some are big, like museums, and others are small, like community centers or artists. This helps offer experiences that match the wide variety of different interests of students.

Arizona Arts Live
Center for Creative Photography
Sonoran Glass School
Tucson Museum of Art
Reid Park Zoo
And many more

What types of arts and culture can I try?

Art … painting, sculpting, drawing
Performing arts … music, theater, dance
Writing … poetry, stories
Traditional crafts … sewing, quilting, decorating
Cultural places … museums, gardens, tours, workshops
Nature-based activities
And many more!

Do I need any ‘arts’ experience?

No previous experience is needed! In fact, Arizona Arts Rx encourages you to try new things to find out if they like them. The program is not about perfecting your existing skills. It’s about helping people discover new interests as a way of building community and improving mental health.

Who do I contact if I have a question about the program?

Feel free to contact CAPS at Campus Health by calling 520.621.3334 or schedule an appointment online.

How It Works

Talk to a CAPS Provider

If you’re interested in Arizona Arts Pharmacy, your CAPS provider at Campus Health will explain the program. Then, they’ll complete a quick online referral.

Meet Your Care Navigator

Once referred, a Care Navigator from Art Pharmacy will reach out to complete a short intake and learn about your interests.

Pick Your Activity

Each month, you’ll get personalized options—on or off campus. Choose what sounds fun! Your Care Navigator will reserve your ticket and can also provide a second ticket if you’d like to bring a friend.

Enjoy & Reflect

After each activity, you’ll complete a short survey, and your Care Navigator will check in. You’ll get access to one activity every 3–4 weeks.

Talk to your CAPS provider today!

Schedule an appointment online.
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm (Wed 9am-6pm), 4:30-6pm by appointment only
Crisis Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4:30 pm (Wed 9am-4:30pm)
CAPS 24/7: 520-621-3334
CAPS Locations