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About the Summit

The Oklahoma Arts Council is pleased to present the 2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit, a special one-day convening that will explore the growing intersection of arts, health, and wellbeing. Sharing evidence, research, and real-world models of success, the summit will highlight how creative approaches are being used to support individuals, communities, and healthcare systems.

Designed for a cross-sector audience—including healthcare professionals, medical providers, medical school students and educators, arts organizations, and artists—the summit will create space for learning, dialogue, and connection. Attendees will hear from national and local practitioners and partners across disciplines, gaining inspiration from new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities for collaboration in the fields of arts and health.

Featured speakers will include:

• Dr. Tasha Golden, behavioral scientist and internationally recognized expert on creativity, health, and innovation. Golden was the first Director of Research at the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine.

• Dr. Jenny Baxley Lee, board-certified dance/movement therapist and master lecturer with the University of Florida's Center for Arts in Medicine. Lee has spent more than two decades exploring how the arts—including dance, theatre, and movement—can support health across the lifespan.

• Dr. Concetta Tomaino, co-founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Music and Neurological Function, Tomaino is a pioneer in music therapy and neuroscience, recognized internationally for her work exploring the impact of music on the brain.

The 2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET).

2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit
Thursday, May 21, 2026
8:00 a.m. Coffee and Networking

9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Session
Nicholson Conference Center
OU Health

University of Oklahoma Medical Center

1000 NE 13th St.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
*No Cost. Space is limited.

Schedule

Morning Keynote: Dr. Tasha Golden
Morning Plenary: "The State of Arts in Health: Trends, Data, and What's Ahead"
Lunch Plenary: "Art as Medicine: The Power of Social Prescribing"
Afternoon Plenary: "The Science of Music and Brain Health"
Breakout A: "The Arts as Support for Mental Health: Clinical and Communiity Pathways
Breakout B: "Art as a Tool for Aging Health"
Concluding Plenary: "Weaving it Together: A Collective Debrief and Next Steps"

Check back for updates about the summit schedule and featured presenters!

Questions?
For more information contact our Arts Learning in Communities Director.