Tasha Golden, PhD

Abstract: In recent years, increasing efforts have been made to apply arts- and culture-based strategies to public health concerns. Accumulating studies point to the value of these strategies for addressing social determinants of health in ways that center communities, cultures, and lived experiences. However, this work has lacked a common framework to support application and advancement. The objectives of this study were to examine knowledge, experience, and evidence related to the uses of… Show more

Abstract: In recent years, increasing efforts have been made to apply arts- and culture-based strategies to public health concerns. Accumulating studies point to the value of these strategies for addressing social determinants of health in ways that center communities, cultures, and lived experiences. However, this work has lacked a common framework to support application and advancement. The objectives of this study were to examine knowledge, experience, and evidence related to the uses of arts and culture in public health in the United States and to develop a pilot version of an evidence-based framework to guide cross-sector development and research.

Methods: Using a convergent mixed-methods design with sequential elements, this study drew upon findings from a national field survey, seven focus groups, eight structured working-group dialogues, and a five-day structured dialogue and writing process with 12 interdisciplinary thought leaders. Data were integrated to develop a pilot evidence-based framework.

Results: The study identified six broad ways in which arts and culture can be used in public health and 59 specific outcomes that can be addressed through arts and cultural strategies. The framework identifies evidence supporting the effects of arts and culture on each outcome, along with mechanisms that may mediate or moderate these effects.
Conclusion
The pilot framework clearly links arts and culture practices with public health outcomes. In doing so, it provides both a resource for current practice and a model for the continued development of interdisciplinary tools that support health researchers and practitioners in utilizing arts and culture resources to advance community health and health equity. Show less

Abstract: The devastating impact of youth mental health concerns is increasingly evident on a global scale. This crisis calls for innovative solutions that are sufficiently accessible, scalable, and cost-effective to support diverse communities around the world. One such solution involves engagement in the arts: incorporating and building upon existing local resources and cultural practices to bolster youth mental health. In this article, we describe the global youth mental health crisis and… Show more

Abstract: The devastating impact of youth mental health concerns is increasingly evident on a global scale. This crisis calls for innovative solutions that are sufficiently accessible, scalable, and cost-effective to support diverse communities around the world. One such solution involves engagement in the arts: incorporating and building upon existing local resources and cultural practices to bolster youth mental health. In this article, we describe the global youth mental health crisis and note major gaps in the knowledge and resources needed to address it. We then discuss the potential for arts- and culture-based strategies to help meet this challenge, review the mounting evidence regarding art’s ability to support mental health, and call for action to undertake critical research and its translation into accessible community practices. Four steps are suggested: (1) elevate and prioritize youth voice, (2) develop core outcome measures, (3) identify and analyze successful models around the globe, and (4) generate clear funding pathways for research and translational efforts. Worldwide implementation of arts- and culture-based strategies to address youth mental health will provide critical resources to support the health, wellbeing and flourishing of countless youth across the globe. Show less

Arts on Prescription: A Field Guide for US Communities offers a roadmap for communities to develop programs that formally integrate arts, culture, and nature resources into local health and social care systems. This free community Guide was developed by Dr. Tasha Golden in partnership with Mass Cultural Council and the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine.

Arts on prescription programs allow healthcare providers and social service agencies to "prescribe" arts activities… Show more

Arts on Prescription: A Field Guide for US Communities offers a roadmap for communities to develop programs that formally integrate arts, culture, and nature resources into local health and social care systems. This free community Guide was developed by Dr. Tasha Golden in partnership with Mass Cultural Council and the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine.

Arts on prescription programs allow healthcare providers and social service agencies to "prescribe" arts activities, cultural experiences, and time in nature to support their patients' or clients' health, wellbeing and quality of life.

This groundbreaking roadmap draws upon research and early models, offering background, practical advice, and extensive resources.

It moves the notion of "prescribing" arts, culture, and nature from "Wouldn’t it be cool…” to “It’s already happening, YOUR community can do it too, and HERE’S HOW.” Show less

U.S. healthcare institutions increasingly integrate screenings for social needs into standard care, and help meet those needs by referring patients to community-based resources. However, community arts/culture assets are not commonly included among those resources.

Given growing evidence of the positive health impacts of arts/culture, and given that access to these benefits remains inequitable, this article argues for the integration of arts/culture resources into healthcare referral… Show more

U.S. healthcare institutions increasingly integrate screenings for social needs into standard care, and help meet those needs by referring patients to community-based resources. However, community arts/culture assets are not commonly included among those resources.

Given growing evidence of the positive health impacts of arts/culture, and given that access to these benefits remains inequitable, this article argues for the integration of arts/culture resources into healthcare referral networks.

It highlights two early models, the CultureRx initiative in Massachusetts and Creative Forces, both of which piloted this integration with promising results.

It also offers suggestions for better utilizing local arts/culture assets, emphasizing that these existing community resources can and should be applied to advance whole-person strategies and better address social drivers of health. Show less

Introduction: As the field of public health strives to address the impacts of social determinants of health, it has seen increasing interest in community-referral practices that expand health care beyond clinical spaces. However, community arts and culture organizations are rarely included in these practices, despite accumulating evidence of associated health benefits. In addition, such inclusion has not been formally studied. In response, this article offers an evaluation of “CultureRx” in… Show more

Introduction: As the field of public health strives to address the impacts of social determinants of health, it has seen increasing interest in community-referral practices that expand health care beyond clinical spaces. However, community arts and culture organizations are rarely included in these practices, despite accumulating evidence of associated health benefits. In addition, such inclusion has not been formally studied. In response, this article offers an evaluation of “CultureRx” in Massachusetts (MA): the first US model of arts on prescription. The program is a partnership between 20 healthcare providers and 12 cultural organizations, in which providers can offer “prescriptions” to cultural experiences to support patients' health.
Methods: Evaluation was undertaken to illuminate participant experiences, program successes and barriers, and recommendations for further development. The cultural organizations collected participant data (n = 84) and completed surveys about their own experiences (n = 12). Authors conducted semi-structured focus groups and interviews with healthcare providers (n = 33). Data analysis was customized for each dataset.
Results: Findings indicate that participants enjoyed and hoped to repeat their prescribed experiences, which they saw as beneficial to wellbeing. Providers identified the program as a new and critical addition to their toolkits; they also indicated it had a positive effect on their own wellbeing. Cultural organizations reported varied challenges, learnings, and recommendations.
Conclusion: The CultureRx pilot suggests that integrating arts/culture assets into health and social care approaches can enrich and improve traditional US models of community referral. By including arts/culture resources when addressing social determinants of health, communities will be better positioned to equitably and holistically advance health. Show less

Accumulating US studies indicate gender inequities in youth violence research and responses. Improving youth health thus requires greater understanding of how girls and young women perceive and experience violence, and gathering such data demands research methods that are trauma-informed and assets-based. This mixed-methods study addresses these dual needs. To support gender equity in youth violence research, it incorporated 4 violence surveys and 3 arts-based methods to examine girls' and… Show more

Accumulating US studies indicate gender inequities in youth violence research and responses. Improving youth health thus requires greater understanding of how girls and young women perceive and experience violence, and gathering such data demands research methods that are trauma-informed and assets-based. This mixed-methods study addresses these dual needs. To support gender equity in youth violence research, it incorporated 4 violence surveys and 3 arts-based methods to examine girls' and young women's experiences and perceptions of violence. Then, to advance trauma-informed, assets-based research, it used study findings to generate an assessment of all methods employed. Results are presented in a 2-part article, with Part II (published separately) detailing the arts-based strategies and assessing all methods. Part I (below) conveys findings from all data sources regarding population experiences, needs, and assets related to violence and safety. Girls and young women reported extensive experiences with violence, and mental health was a prominent challenge, likely exacerbated by persisting threats. Participants' priorities included domestic and intimate partner violence, social isolation, and the necessity of action and change. This study confirms the value of mixed-methods, gender-responsive youth violence research, and of providing processes by which youth can share their stories on and in their own terms. It also provides a template for further use of creative practices to improve data; apply trauma-informed, assets-based strategies; and advance health equity. Show less

Accumulating US studies indicate gender inequities in youth violence research and responses. Improving youth health thus requires greater understanding of how girls and young women perceive and experience violence, and gathering such data demands research methods that are trauma-informed and assets-based. This mixed-methods study addresses these dual needs. To support gender equity in youth violence research, it incorporated 4 violence surveys and 3 arts-based methods to examine girls' and… Show more

Accumulating US studies indicate gender inequities in youth violence research and responses. Improving youth health thus requires greater understanding of how girls and young women perceive and experience violence, and gathering such data demands research methods that are trauma-informed and assets-based. This mixed-methods study addresses these dual needs. To support gender equity in youth violence research, it incorporated 4 violence surveys and 3 arts-based methods to examine girls' and young women's experiences and perceptions of violence. Then, to advance trauma-informed, assets-based research, it used study findings to generate an assessment of all methods employed. Results are presented in a 2-part article, with Part I (published separately) conveying findings about the population's experiences, needs, and assets related to violence and safety. Part II (here) details the development of the arts-based methods, assesses them alongside the surveys, and compares the effectiveness of all methods. Despite overlap across methods, the arts-based strategies offered critical knowledge that was missed by surveys, including actionable data about the population's priorities, experiences, and recommendations. The arts-based methods were also trauma-informed and offered reciprocity via assets-based, community-centered programs and platforms. This study provides justification and a template for further integration of creative practices into research, and for continued innovation to advance access, data quality, and health equity. Show less

The health and well-being impacts of art and aesthetic experiences have been rigorously studied by a range of disciplines, including cognitive neuroscience, psychiatry, public health, and translational clinical research. These experiences, encompassed in the concepts of set and setting, have long been claimed to be pivotal in determining the acute and enduring effects of psychedelic experiences. Responding to the field's longstanding emphasis on the role and value of setting, a rapid scoping… Show more

The health and well-being impacts of art and aesthetic experiences have been rigorously studied by a range of disciplines, including cognitive neuroscience, psychiatry, public health, and translational clinical research. These experiences, encompassed in the concepts of set and setting, have long been claimed to be pivotal in determining the acute and enduring effects of psychedelic experiences. Responding to the field's longstanding emphasis on the role and value of setting, a rapid scoping review was undertaken to identify the extent to which effects of setting and aesthetics on psychedelic experiences and therapies have been explicitly studied. It offers an analysis of the strengths and limitations of the extant literature and discusses evidentiary gaps as well as evidentiary opportunities for the field. The 43 included studies indicate apparent consensus regarding the importance of setting in psychedelic therapies, as well as consistent interest in theorizing about these effects. However, this consensus has yet to generate consistent, prospective, rigorous tests of setting and its complexities. As a result, the field continues to lack understanding or agreement regarding the effects of various specific elements of setting, the mechanisms by which they affect outcomes, for whom these effects occur, under what circumstances, given what conditions, and other critical factors. Further studies of setting and aesthetics in the context of psychedelic therapies are likely to not only improve these therapies and their delivery, but also inform considerations of setting and aesthetics for non-psychedelic interventions. Show less

Discussion of the need to redefine health: It's not just about an absence of disease; it's about the *presence* of well-being and opportunities to thrive. The communities I've engaged with have emphasized this, particularly in research and practice related to arts and health.

This was an invited response to ArtPlace America's Dec 2020 synthesis of their reports of Creative Placemaking projects 2010-2020. ArtPlace had funded and studied a wide range of communities that approached their… Show more

Discussion of the need to redefine health: It's not just about an absence of disease; it's about the *presence* of well-being and opportunities to thrive. The communities I've engaged with have emphasized this, particularly in research and practice related to arts and health.

This was an invited response to ArtPlace America's Dec 2020 synthesis of their reports of Creative Placemaking projects 2010-2020. ArtPlace had funded and studied a wide range of communities that approached their collective work with varied goals, challenges, and strengths. Show less

A process and outcomes evaluation was conducted of a citywide literary-arts initiative designed to reduce stigma, amplify underrepresented narratives, and generate dialogue about violence. Over 4 months, students in 85 middle schools read a novel addressing mental health and violence-related themes. As a collaboration between a public school district and public library system, the program's classroom activities emphasized dialogue, while coordinated library events supported community… Show more

A process and outcomes evaluation was conducted of a citywide literary-arts initiative designed to reduce stigma, amplify underrepresented narratives, and generate dialogue about violence. Over 4 months, students in 85 middle schools read a novel addressing mental health and violence-related themes. As a collaboration between a public school district and public library system, the program's classroom activities emphasized dialogue, while coordinated library events supported community engagement. Students completed pre/postsurveys (total n = 1487); school program leaders (n = 39) and public librarians (n = 14) completed postsurveys. Half of student respondents reported personal encounters with violence. Most said the novel influenced their thinking; students with personal experiences of violence reported greater influence than those without. Highest rates of dialogue were seen among students who read the novel in full, and over half of postsurvey respondents wanted more dialogue opportunities. Leaders and librarians indicated that the program was smoothly integrated with existing curricula, but also offered recommendations for improved processes. Findings suggest that this intervention was effective at stimulating dialogue while providing assets-based opportunities for youth to share experiences and concerns. Current program processes indicate promise for further engagement and impact, with some modifications. To this end, authors draw upon evaluation findings and youth development literature to offer recommendations for program development and replication in other regions. Show less

Hundreds of studies regarding music's effects on mental health have accumulated across multiple disciplines; however, access to and application of music as a support for mental health remains limited, due in part to the multidisciplinary nature of related research and difficulties synthesizing findings. This qualitative study is the first to address these barriers by gathering current thought leaders and stakeholders at intersections of music and mental health, representing multiple disciplines… Show more

Hundreds of studies regarding music's effects on mental health have accumulated across multiple disciplines; however, access to and application of music as a support for mental health remains limited, due in part to the multidisciplinary nature of related research and difficulties synthesizing findings. This qualitative study is the first to address these barriers by gathering current thought leaders and stakeholders at intersections of music and mental health, representing multiple disciplines and backgrounds, to (1) document understandings of and recommendations for the field, and (2) examine how views converge or conflict. Participants (n = 36) viewed preliminary results of a global scoping review, then engaged in focus groups which were transcribed and de-identified for analysis. An interdisciplinary research team coded and iteratively analyzed transcripts. Six themes emerged: Barriers to Quality/Improved Research, Disciplinary Differences, Research Recommendations, Implementation and Access, Public Perception and Education, and Need for Training. Discussions offered wide-ranging observations and recommendations while revealing challenges and opportunities related to interdisciplinary work. Findings indicate broad agreement regarding current barriers and opportunities at intersections of music and mental health. While highlighting challenges, participants also indicated multiple avenues for advancing research quality, intervention effectiveness, and equitable access to music as a support for mental health. Responding to the study’s illumination of the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary work, four brief recommendations are offered to support future efforts. Show less

Mental and substance use disorders have been identified as the leading cause of global disability, and the global burden of mental illness is concentrated among those experiencing disability due to serious mental illness (SMI). Music has been studied as a support for SMIs for decades, with promising results; however, a lack of synthesized evidence has precluded increased uptake of and access to music-based approaches. The purpose of this review was to identify the types & quantity of research… Show more

Mental and substance use disorders have been identified as the leading cause of global disability, and the global burden of mental illness is concentrated among those experiencing disability due to serious mental illness (SMI). Music has been studied as a support for SMIs for decades, with promising results; however, a lack of synthesized evidence has precluded increased uptake of and access to music-based approaches. The purpose of this review was to identify the types & quantity of research at intersections of music and SMIs, document evidentiary gaps & opportunities, and generate recommendations for improving research & practice. Studies were included if they reported on music's use(s) in treating or mitigating symptoms related to 5 SMIs: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, or PTSD. Eight databases were searched; screening resulted in 349 included studies for data extraction. Schizophrenia was the most studied SMI, with bipolar disorder studied the least. Demographics, settings, and activity details were found to be inconsistently and insufficiently reported; however, listening to recorded music emerged as the most common musical activity, and activity details appeared to have been affected by the conditions under study. RCTs were the predominant study design, and 271 unique measures were utilized across 289 primary studies. Over 2/3 of primary studies (68.5%) reported positive results, with 2.8% reporting worse results than the comparator, and 12% producing indeterminate results. A key finding is that evidence synthesis is precluded by insufficient reporting, widely varied outcomes and measures, and intervention complexity; as a result, widespread changes are necessary to...increase replicability & transferability, and improve understandings of mechanisms & causal pathways. To that end, 5 detailed recommendations are offered to support sharing & development of information across disciplines. Show less

"Guided by the hypothesis that the arts can play a role in changing attitudes, beliefs, and health behaviors, the objectives of the study were to (1) overview artistic practices, interventions, and research being conducted at the intersection of the arts and health communication and (2) identify desired and observed outcomes and variables measured in these studies."

The field of public health has increasingly promoted a social ecological approach to health, shifting from an individual, biomedical paradigm to a recognition of social and structural determinants of health and health equity. Yet despite this shift, public health research and practice continue to privilege individual- and interpersonal-level measurements and interventions. Rather than adapting public health practice to social ecological theory, the field has layered new concepts (“root causes,”… Show more

The field of public health has increasingly promoted a social ecological approach to health, shifting from an individual, biomedical paradigm to a recognition of social and structural determinants of health and health equity. Yet despite this shift, public health research and practice continue to privilege individual- and interpersonal-level measurements and interventions. Rather than adapting public health practice to social ecological theory, the field has layered new concepts (“root causes,” “social determinants”) onto a biomedical paradigm—attempting to answer questions presented by the social ecological schema with practices developed in response to biomedicine. This stymies health equity work before it begins—limiting the field's ability to broaden conceptions of well-being, redress histories of inequitable knowledge valuation, and advance systems-level change. To respond effectively to our knowledge of social determinants, public health must resolve the ongoing disconnect between social ecological theory and biomedically-driven practice. To that end, this article issues a clarion call to complete the shift from a biomedical to a social ecological paradigm, and provides a basis for moving theory into practice. It examines biomedicine's foundations and limitations, glosses existing critiques of the paradigm, and describes health equity challenges presented by over-reliance on conventional practices. It then offers theoretical and epistemological direction for developing innovative social ecological strategies that advance health equity. Show less

An increasing focus on health equity in public health highlights the need for approaches and interventions that not only support individuals' health but that also address upstream drivers of health outcomes: structures, systems, environments, policies. Such interventions require innovative, collaborative efforts that (a) are responsive to culture, lived experience, and community assets; and (b) support health and well-being at multiple levels of the social ecological model.

As a sector… Show more

An increasing focus on health equity in public health highlights the need for approaches and interventions that not only support individuals' health but that also address upstream drivers of health outcomes: structures, systems, environments, policies. Such interventions require innovative, collaborative efforts that (a) are responsive to culture, lived experience, and community assets; and (b) support health and well-being at multiple levels of the social ecological model.

As a sector, arts and culture offers rich ground for precisely such collaboration and innovation.

The arts have been shown to influence six broad areas of individual- and population-level health. This framework highlights each of these areas, and identifies outcomes that can be enhanced through arts and cultural approaches, and the mechanisms that mediate or moderate these outcomes.

Suggested citation: Sonke, J. & Golden, T. (2020). Arts and Culture in Public Health: An Evidence-Based Framework. University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine. Show less

An increasing focus on health equity across a number of health disciplines is generating more consistent prioritizations of trauma-informed approaches, cultural responsiveness, and community engagement. These foci have heightened interest in photovoice as a participatory research method—particularly in research among vulnerable populations or related to sensitive topics. Photovoice’s ballooning popularity can be traced in part to the alignment of its aims and practices with broad health equity… Show more

An increasing focus on health equity across a number of health disciplines is generating more consistent prioritizations of trauma-informed approaches, cultural responsiveness, and community engagement. These foci have heightened interest in photovoice as a participatory research method—particularly in research among vulnerable populations or related to sensitive topics. Photovoice’s ballooning popularity can be traced in part to the alignment of its aims and practices with broad health equity goals; at the same time, its singular status reveals a lack of similarly creative, adaptive methods for use in vulnerable or sensitive contexts. In addition, photovoice is not without its concerning limitations, and its increasing usage warrants not only caution, but responsive innovation. To that end, this article draws on the extensive photovoice literature, as well as on the author’s own work at the intersections of public health and the arts, to offer an overview of four photovoice limitations and related concerns. It then highlights the method’s untapped potential by identifying under-researched qualities in need of development—noting these as opportunities to learn from (and further adapt) the photovoice method. Finally, the article pulls limitations and benefits together to frame photovoice as a basis for the continued innovation, study, and development of more equitable approaches to health research and practice. Show less

"The 'Creating Healthy Communities through Cross-sector Collaboration' white paper presents the views of more than 250 thought leaders from the public health, arts and culture, and community development sectors who were convened in working groups in 2018 and 2019. Their voices are joined by over 500 participants in a national field survey and focus groups, and are supported by findings of a scoping review of arts + public health literature.

"With the public health sector as a primary… Show more

"The 'Creating Healthy Communities through Cross-sector Collaboration' white paper presents the views of more than 250 thought leaders from the public health, arts and culture, and community development sectors who were convened in working groups in 2018 and 2019. Their voices are joined by over 500 participants in a national field survey and focus groups, and are supported by findings of a scoping review of arts + public health literature.

"With the public health sector as a primary intended audience, this white paper frames the value of the arts and culture for advancing health and well-being in communities. It offers examples and recommendations for expanding cross-sector collaboration and innovation, with the following goals:

- Advance collaboration among those working at the intersections of art and culture, public health, and community development
- Stimulate upstream interventions—aimed at systems, cultures, and policies—that reduce barriers to health and well-being
- Assert the value of arts and culture for increasing health, wellbeing, and equity in communities
- Foster transformative social change that advances health and wellbeing

"This paper is also intended to offer value and guidance to community development, arts and culture, and other allied health sectors by providing examples of impactful cross-sector collaborations that engage arts and culture to address five critical public health issues: collective trauma, racism, social isolation and exclusion, mental health, and chronic disease. These concrete examples inform the paper's recommendations and call to action, which assert the value of the arts and culture for community health transformation, and for advancing the culture of health being envisioned today." Show less

From the conclusion:
"The complex nature of the social determinants of health can render them difficult to identify, measure, and change. We can’t advance health equity without cross-sector, transdisciplinary work that builds on diverse strengths and multiple ways of knowing. To this work, the arts contribute multiple levels and forms of creativity, inquiry, rigor, and humanization—helping us see the world as it is, and helping us 'make it over.'"

Abstract: "Residents’ experiences provide rich insight into the factors that drive widening social and health disparities, and those experiences are not homogeneous. Only through attending to people’s lived experiences will society begin to see these as issues of the entire community, and only by engaging residents in the process of community change can the kinds of change that are needed ever be achieved. Photovoice is a participatory qualitative research method that gives voice to… Show more

Abstract: "Residents’ experiences provide rich insight into the factors that drive widening social and health disparities, and those experiences are not homogeneous. Only through attending to people’s lived experiences will society begin to see these as issues of the entire community, and only by engaging residents in the process of community change can the kinds of change that are needed ever be achieved. Photovoice is a participatory qualitative research method that gives voice to participants’ experiences and perspectives while simultaneously facilitating critical consciousness-raising for social action and social change. This study employed a Photovoice process to explore experiences and perspectives of residents and people working in organizations that serve West Louisville, and to facilitate dialogue and action leading to social change. Forty-three individuals across eight groups completed the Photovoice project, representing youth, older adults, LGBTQ people, faith leaders, educators, activists, and two groups of Black men. Analysis of photos and group dialogue within and across the eight groups identified several common themes that pointed at the historical and present structural racism in the community, the city’s lack of concern for the Black community, the importance of Black history, and the need for collective community action. The public Photovoice exhibit helped inform the subsequent agenda for the city’s Center for Health Equity." Show less

"Creative placemaking has an impact on multiple aspects of mental health, including stigma; trauma; community-level stress, depression, and substance use disorders; and cultural identity. This article describes their relevance to public health and provides examples of initiatives that address them."
[Co-written with Jamie Hand, ArtPlace America]

Chapter in edited collection titled _Prison Pedagogies: Learning and Teaching with Imprisoned Writers_.

Book description via Syracuse Press:
Addresses contemporary educational practices and theories for teaching writing in prisons.
"Offers a much-needed resource for educators interested in teaching writing and literature in prisons, jails, and detention centers. Rather than relying solely on personal accounts of prison teaching, the authors in this compelling collection emphasize… Show more

Chapter in edited collection titled _Prison Pedagogies: Learning and Teaching with Imprisoned Writers_.

Book description via Syracuse Press:
Addresses contemporary educational practices and theories for teaching writing in prisons.
"Offers a much-needed resource for educators interested in teaching writing and literature in prisons, jails, and detention centers. Rather than relying solely on personal accounts of prison teaching, the authors in this compelling collection emphasize pedagogical practices that can be useful to other educators working in similar spaces."—Patrick W. Berry, author of _Doing Time, Writing Lives: Refiguring Literacy and Higher Education in Prison_ Show less

Chapter in collection (Reading Heresy: Religion and Dissent in Literature and Art).
"The question is not whether pop music is (at least occasionally) socially beneficial; the question is what we. . .will do with the knowledge that its verbalizations of traumas and diverse narratives could have real and measurable effects on individual and community health."

Volume 17, peer-reviewed journal _Reflections_.
Abstract:
The proportion of young women in the juvenile justice system has increased substantially since the nineties, yet the rhetoric surrounding them remains under-studied and under-critiqued. The oppressive nature of this rhetoric thwarts the achievement of gender equity in juvenile justice, undermining the reforms that have been recommended over years of research. The following analysis examines this rhetoric for the ways in which it… Show more

Volume 17, peer-reviewed journal _Reflections_.
Abstract:
The proportion of young women in the juvenile justice system has increased substantially since the nineties, yet the rhetoric surrounding them remains under-studied and under-critiqued. The oppressive nature of this rhetoric thwarts the achievement of gender equity in juvenile justice, undermining the reforms that have been recommended over years of research. The following analysis examines this rhetoric for the ways in which it silences women and furthers gendered oppression in system; it also offers critical cautions regarding existing approaches to gender-responsive programming. By acknowledging the subalternity of young justice-involved women, further studies and community collaborations can be taken up to close the distance between the actual experiences and knowledges of young women and the rhetorical constructions of them that have long informed policy, programming, and daily interaction. Show less

"You want to read these poems, consume them, and rebuild the world because of them." (Crabfat Magazine, 2016)

“This book is a feral cry that invents the only form that can contain it...I am at a loss to describe, even from the outside, that power. I can only urge you to read it.” (James Cummins, author, Still Some Cake)

“Once You Had Hands is a smart and moving book of poetry...Golden has sharp senses and wit...” (Jennifer Michael Hecht, author, Doubt: A History)

“...this… Show more

"You want to read these poems, consume them, and rebuild the world because of them." (Crabfat Magazine, 2016)

“This book is a feral cry that invents the only form that can contain it...I am at a loss to describe, even from the outside, that power. I can only urge you to read it.” (James Cummins, author, Still Some Cake)

“Once You Had Hands is a smart and moving book of poetry...Golden has sharp senses and wit...” (Jennifer Michael Hecht, author, Doubt: A History)

“...this furious book is also a work of graceful beauty. Interspersed with inspired manipulations of poems by the metaphysical Henry Vaughan, and the evocative photos of Michael Wilson, Golden’s work will stay with the reader for a long time.” (Norman Finkelstein, author, Track)

“One has the feeling that this clear-eyed writer set out to wield poems like glowing lanterns against a tide of darkness and loss, and finding she could not stem the tide, chose instead to illuminate the questions we are all too often afraid to ask. Turns out a writer with a nimble mind and enough courage can make the fearsome questions beautiful.” (Linford Detweiler, songwriter/performer, Over the Rhine)

“Wise, desperately sad, Tasha Golden’s poetry finds a sinewy resilience in rhythm. Heartbeat-like, propulsive, the beat intensifies a disturbing atmosphere in which pain and harm are perversely sexualized and aestheticized. Golden’s perversions turn out to be the reverse of self-indulgence. They are an ethic and a strategy she wields against the gray meaninglessness of the problem of evil. Domestic horrors are twisted into gorgeous sequined structures that in their artifice, their passionate madeness, remind us that purposeful transformation is possible.” (Catherine Wagner, author, Nervous Device)

"a bold, nuanced debut" (Cincinnati CityBeat Magazine, 2016)

"Golden’s...poignant style will haunt the reader long after the book has been finished" (Humanist Press) Show less

(Peer-Reviewed) The relevance (in 2014) of Sandburg's 1930s conception of hope, the value of story, and the role of poetry in politics.

A response to Country Weekly's Jan 2014 headline (declaring 2014 to be country music's "Year of the Woman").

Published February 2014 for Ethos Journal's "Cultural Interventions." Investigates claims that "Her" is anti-feminist, arguing that the movie intentionally questions its presented power structures while highlighting ways in which those in power (such as men, humans) silence those who are not (such as women, other consciousnesses).

A review of Ostriker's 2012 publication.

My blog series offered this literary journal an "outsider's" perspective of the literary world. The goal: help make literature (and its business) more accessible and relevant to the wider culture; help further intertwine literature and other art forms; and celebrate the many possible socio-political, cultural, and health impacts of literature.

Introduction: As the field of public health strives to address the impacts of social determinants of health, it has seen increasing interest in community-referral practices that expand health care beyond clinical spaces. However, community arts and culture organizations are rarely included in these practices, despite accumulating evidence of associated health benefits. In addition, such inclusion has not been formally studied. In response, this article offers an evaluation of “CultureRx” in… Show more

Introduction: As the field of public health strives to address the impacts of social determinants of health, it has seen increasing interest in community-referral practices that expand health care beyond clinical spaces. However, community arts and culture organizations are rarely included in these practices, despite accumulating evidence of associated health benefits. In addition, such inclusion has not been formally studied. In response, this article offers an evaluation of “CultureRx” in Massachusetts (MA): the first US model of arts on prescription. The program is a partnership between 20 healthcare providers and 12 cultural organizations, in which providers can offer “prescriptions” to cultural experiences to support patients' health.
Methods: Evaluation was undertaken to illuminate participant experiences, program successes and barriers, and recommendations for further development. The cultural organizations collected participant data (n = 84) and completed surveys about their own experiences (n = 12). Authors conducted semi-structured focus groups and interviews with healthcare providers (n = 33). Data analysis was customized for each dataset.
Results: Findings indicate that participants enjoyed and hoped to repeat their prescribed experiences, which they saw as beneficial to wellbeing. Providers identified the program as a new and critical addition to their toolkits; they also indicated it had a positive effect on their own wellbeing. Cultural organizations reported varied challenges, learnings, and recommendations.
Conclusion: The CultureRx pilot suggests that integrating arts/culture assets into health and social care approaches can enrich and improve traditional US models of community referral. By including arts/culture resources when addressing social determinants of health, communities will be better positioned to equitably and holistically advance health. Show less