Mission

“One of the most recent critical public health issues is the mental health crisis COVID-19 has exacerbated amongst diverse groups in NYC. The sociopolitical, racial, and environmental stresses that communities of color already experience are unimaginably magnified during the pandemic.”
— Lisa Fortuna

RISE Healing Arts Lab is a creative wellness ecosystem at the intersection of arts & well-being. We harness the media arts through storytelling gatherings, culturally tailored film viewings, and mindfulness-driven processes to support marginalized individuals and organizations in New York City towards social emotional harmony and balance.

Through partnerships with health, art organizations, audio-visual artists and community leaders, we co-create initiatives and spaces that encourage openness, exploration and joy. The activities and services offer groups the opportunity to tune into the strengths and complexities of their communal identities, find moments of respite through art and foster meaningful and connections.

WHO WE SERVE

  • Groups who identify as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern or People of Color

  • Low-income & under-resourced communities

  • LGBTQI+ communities 

  • Communities on recovery journeys or seeking alternate wellness practices

  • Anti-oppressive driven organizations seeking to foster connection, play and reflection in their work structures

Core Pillars

  • Mindfulness

    We integrate mindful grounding practices to support our communities in harnessing their innate power, strength and resilience.  We return to our center source by slowing down, breathing, and holding awareness.

  • Empathy

    We aim to foster inviting and open spaces of dialogue, listening and engagement that challenge our assumptions of the world and encourage thinking and understanding from diverse perspectives.

  • Play

    Counterbalancing the toll of daily stress with moments of respite and relief offer opportunities for delight and joy. These states help participants find new ways to relax, jolt our interests and relate to one another, which leads to personal satisfaction and fulfillment.

  • Collaboration

    When we take the time to work together and learn from our differences, our discoveries become shared experiences. Synergy is at the heart of RISE and fuels our desire to reimagine a healthy and connected culture together.

  • Authenticity

    RISE celebrates individuals who seek to lead meaningful and reflective lives. We want to hear what moves your spirits and lifts your hearts. Our program aims to help groups refine their core values and beliefs with the hope of discovering, and then acting in sync with their truest and brightest selves.