Sometimes, feelings are difficult to put into words. A color, a brushstroke, or a quiet moment with a canvas can offer another way to express what we carry inside.
High Stakes Mental Health Foundation is developing Art That Heals, an art scholarship and give-back program for low-income adults connected to the gaming community—including casino workers, players, and their immediate family members.
Our goal is to offer a welcoming space where participants can explore creativity, build connections, and make time for their emotional well-being. No previous art experience is needed.
A Space to Explore and Grow
Our planned six-month pilot will welcome six participants for weekly, two-hour art sessions, with art supplies provided through the scholarship.
We will begin simply—with two colors representing different feelings—and gradually explore shapes, beauty, and personal expression. Participants will have time to discover their own approach and create artwork that belongs to them.
There is no pressure to paint perfectly or share personal experiences. Each person can express themselves at their own pace.
Giving Back to the Next Person
The heart of this program is a cycle of receiving support and passing it on.
After their time as scholarship participants, members will be invited to help the next group—by welcoming newcomers, preparing materials, sharing techniques they have learned, or assisting with art sessions.
Our goal is six months of receiving followed by six months of giving back, with the length and responsibilities adjusted to participants’ circumstances and available program resources.
Giving back does not require becoming an expert. Sometimes, simply sitting beside someone and saying, “I started here, too,” can help them feel less alone.
Help Us Bring This Program to Life
We are seeking funding, art supplies, volunteers, and an affordable or donated space in Las Vegas to launch the pilot.
Your support can help someone access the materials, time, and community they need to begin—and eventually help someone else take that first step.
Interested in participating, volunteering, or supporting Art That Heals? Contact High Stakes Mental Health Foundation through our website.
Art That Heals provides creative education and peer support. It is not clinical art therapy or a replacement for professional mental health care.