CDC Grants Funding to LUAG for Community Health Improvement Initiative
The Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) have joined a national initiative called Communities for Immunity, which aims to combat vaccine hesitancy across the U.S. by partnering with museums and libraries. This move is part of a larger study evaluating strategies that these institutions can use to help communities in crisis.
William B. Crow, the director of LUAG, believes that museums have a significant role to play in promoting education about vaccines and COVID prevention. Given their status as trusted community institutions, museums can effectively communicate vital information and address misconceptions.
LUAG's participation in Communities for Immunity aligns with its renewed mission to advance critical thinking, cultural understanding, and well-being for both campus and community. This mission is reflected in LUAG's diverse collection of over 17,000 works of art from various time periods and cultures.
As part of the initiative, LUAG will distribute bilingual vaccine information to local residents, in line with the exhibition "Thinking Through Drawing: Works on Paper, Drawings, and Sketchbooks from the Collection and Community".
In addition to this, LUAG is also launching the promotional campaign #DrawTheLineAgainstCovid (#LaLíneaContraCovid). This campaign offers free sketching kits and one-year memberships to LUAG to all who show proof of vaccination.
Recent programs at LUAG have focused on encouraging creative expression, stress reduction, and mindfulness. These initiatives underscore the belief that museums are places of possibility where one can learn about diverse cultures and perspectives, fostering resilience within the community when facing complex challenges.
The Communities for Immunity initiative is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This collaboration underscores the importance of cultural institutions in public health efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
William B. Crow, the director of LUAG, expresses hope that art museums will continue to be seen as places that support well-being at both the individual and community levels in a post-pandemic world. For more detailed, up-to-date information on LUAG’s role in Communities for Immunity or vaccine outreach, please consult LUAG’s official website or related press releases from public health organizations associated with the initiative.
- William B. Crow, the director of LUAG, hopes that museums will continue to be seen as places that support health, mental health, and wellness in a post-pandemic world.
- LUAG's renewed mission includes advancing critical thinking, cultural understanding, and health, including mental health and nutrition.
- LUAG's participation in the Communities for Immunity initiative aligns with its promotion of education about medical-conditions like COVID-19 and science.
- As part of the campaign #DrawTheLineAgainstCovid, LUAG offers free sketching kits and one-year memberships to those who show proof of vaccination, encouraging fitness and exercise through creativity.
- The Communities for Immunity initiative, supported by the CDC and IMLS, highlights the crucial role of cultural institutions in addressing health crises and promoting health through education.
