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BBefore the close of the 2026 legislative session, the Georgia House doubled down on a resolution supporting the arts as a way to treat mental illness.
The stage was set in mid-February when the House Special Rules committee approved House Resolution 1007, making Georgia the first state in the nation to pass a legislative measure linking the arts with mental health outcomes.
Then, on March 31, the full House voted on the resolution.
“It passed the full House unanimously,” State Rep. Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta/College Park) said in an interview Wednesday evening. “We believe, and we’re hopeful, the governor is going to sign it.”
Schofield, one of the leading sponsors of the resolution, called it “a multi-layered” approach.
“We are recognizing the arts as medicine when it comes to mental health,” Schofield said. “It’s a tool we can use to treat mental health. It’s another avenue for medical practitioners.”
Marcel Foster, founder of Atlanta-based Performance Hypothesis and a faculty member with the University of Florida’s Center for Arts and Medicine, helped rally support for the resolution.
“What happened in Georgia was nationally historic,” Foster said, given the scope of the resolution. While 15 other states have licensing for creative art therapy, it’s unique to have the legislation that Georgia passed.
Schofield said HR 1007 was just the first step.
“In the next legislative session, we will go back,” she said. “Next year, we will seek an appropriation. We want to be in the budget.”
Doug Shipman, former president of the Atlanta City Council, recently became the president and CEO of the organization of South Arts. Shipman was also president and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center before he ran for president of the Atlanta City Council.
Shipman, who strongly supported HR 1007, said the heavy lifting was already underway when he got involved with the effort.
“It’s good to see Georgia leading the national conversation connecting arts and health,” Shipman said Thursday. “We must continue to work across our public, healthcare, nonprofit and arts sectors to develop and fund innovative programs.”
Several efforts are underway in Georgia linking the arts to brain health, including the launch of the Georgia NeuroArts Coalition by the Woodruff Arts Center. In addition to helping treat mental illness, the arts have been known to help elderly patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Studies have also documented how the arts can improve educational outcomes for children and support brain development.
“We have to get others to see the value in these investments,” Schofield said. “We want to bring all voices to the table.”
Schofield commended her fellow representatives for their support, mentioning Mary Margaret Oliver (D- Decatur) and Todd Jones, (R-South Forsyth). Three of the co-sponsors were Democrats, and three were Republicans. “This is not a Democratic or a Republican issue. It’s a people issue,” Schofield said. “Georgia is leading with this initiative. We are going to get there.”
Maria Saporta, executive editor, is a longtime Atlanta business, civic and urban affairs journalist with a deep knowledge of our city, our region and state. From 2008 to 2020, she wrote weekly columns… More by Maria Saporta
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