Arts As Medicine: Research & Practices Supporting the Role of Arts in Wellbeing
Schedule
Thu Apr 09 2026 at 07:00 pm to 08:15 pm
UTC-03:00Location
The Gerald Schwartz School of Business | Antigonish, NS
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What if the prescription for better health came not from a pharmacy, but from a dance studio, a stage, or a song?Join us for a thought-provoking guest lecture with Dr. Rebecca Barnstaple, Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph and one of Canada's leading voices at the intersection of arts, neuroscience, and health. Dr. Barnstaple's work is changing the way we think about medicine — and it starts with the body in motion.
Drawing on over a decade of hands-on research and program delivery, Dr. Barnstaple will explore the biological and neurological dimensions of arts participation — and why creativity may be one of our most underutilized health tools. Her dance-for-health programs have supported people living with Parkinson's disease, MCI/Alzheimer's, and chronic pain, and her findings have made waves in publications ranging from neuroscience journals to The Washington Post.
But this isn't just a story about dance. It's about reimagining healthcare itself.
Dr. Barnstaple will share her vision for a system that embraces upstream, holistic treatment models — including Social Prescribing and Arts on Prescription — that address the root of illness rather than just its symptoms. With deep experience in community health settings and a sharp understanding of the Canadian healthcare landscape, she'll make a compelling case for why arts-based interventions deserve a permanent seat at the healthcare table.
Whether you're a healthcare professional, artist, student, researcher, or simply someone curious about the healing power of human expression, this lecture promises to challenge assumptions and spark new ideas.
🔬 Grounded in science. 💃 Rooted in movement. 🌱 Oriented toward change.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a researcher whose work sits at one of the most exciting frontiers in modern health.
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Where is it happening?
The Gerald Schwartz School of Business, 12 Cathedral Way, Antigonish, NS B2G, CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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