Resolution introduced by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, championed in partnership with California for the Arts and the California Behavioral Health Association

SACRAMENTO, California  — August 4, 2026 — The California State Assembly yesterday passed a resolution formally recognizing the role of arts integration in supporting behavioral health, brain health, and community well-being across the state. It received 68 co-authors with bipartisan support. The resolution was introduced and championed by Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva, in partnership with California for the Arts (CA for the Arts) and the California Behavioral Health Association (CBHA).

The resolution comes as California, like the rest of the nation, continues to grapple with a significant behavioral health crisis marked by rising rates of anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use disorders affecting residents of all ages. It affirms the growing body of research showing that participation in the arts can reduce stress, strengthen emotional regulation, improve cognitive function, and reduce social isolation — all while offering a lower-cost, community-based complement to clinical care.

The resolution highlights research linking arts participation to measurable health benefits, including reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol after short periods of art-making, and associations between regular engagement in arts and cultural activities and improved emotional and cognitive outcomes. It also points to a large-scale evidence review published by the World Health Organization, which drew on hundreds of studies connecting arts engagement to positive health outcomes, as well as work by the National Endowment for the Arts' EpiArts Lab documenting arts-based health interventions nationwide.

The resolution further recognizes that artists and culture bearers are often trusted messengers within their communities, uniquely positioned to reach populations that are historically underserved or less likely to engage with traditional health care systems. It also acknowledges the benefits of arts-based approaches for the behavioral health workforce itself, citing their potential to reduce burnout and strengthen resilience among providers.

“This historic resolution sends a clear message: the arts are an essential tool for promoting behavioral health, strengthening brain health, and building thriving communities,” said Dr. Clark Harvey, CEO of California Behavioral Health Association. “By recognizing this intersection, California is leading the way in advancing cultural and creative approaches to support wellness and people of all ages.”

"This resolution marks a milestone in a much longer effort to have arts participation recognized as a core part of how California and the nation approach public health," said Julie Baker, CEO of CA for the Arts. "Recognizing access to arts and culture as a social determinant of health will encourage critical investments in community-based programming, creating equitable career pathways for artists while building a healthier, more resilient population across the state.”

CBHA and CA for the Arts have partnered to elevate dialogue and advance best practices around integrating behavioral health and the arts throughout California, and see today's resolution as a step toward embedding arts-based approaches more deeply into the state's healthcare, behavioral health, and community development initiatives.

The resolution does not create new funding or mandates but formally encourages the exploration, support, and integration of art and behavioral health within California's healthcare, behavioral health, and community-based systems.

About California for the Arts

California for the Arts is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary advocacy service organization dedicated to building resources, awareness, and public will around the value and impact of arts, culture, and creativity across California. Learn more at www.caforthearts.org

About the California Behavioral Health Association

The California Behavioral Health Association represents behavioral health providers and advocates across the state, working to strengthen access to mental health and substance use services for all Californians.

Media Contact

Eduardo Robles
Director of Communications
California for the Arts
eduardo@caforthearts.org 

Melissa Santos-Martinez
Communications and PR Manager
California Behavioral Health Association (CBHA)
msmartinez@calbha.org