Arts For EveryBody was developed by powerhouse arts and health leaders in response to a national sense of brokenness and disconnection with the arts, only exacerbated by social, health, and political crises. Inspired by the 1936 Federal Theatre Project, where 18 cities and towns presented their own interpretations of the anti-fascist play “It Can't Happen Here,” Arts For EveryBody supported 18 cities across the country as they put on musicals, plays, festivals, art classes, and more, all on the same day - July 27th, 2024.
In addition to the simultaneous art projects, Arts For EveryBody also enlisted a team of researchers from the University of Florida Center for Art in Medicine, led by Dr. Jill Sonke, a world-renowned arts and health researcher. These team members were tasked to examine the connection between arts participation and health in each of the 18 communities.
One core part of this research included a survey that asked participants about their relationship to the arts and health. This data would then be used for a first-of-its kind research report on arts, health, and social cohesion in the U.S.
The campaign was a coordinated effort among many people, including national team members, researchers, 18 local teams, a national photographer, design partners, influencer strategists, and more.
JT’s role on the Arts For EveryBody centered on storytelling, digital engagement, and national amplification. By embedding team members into local site teams for nearly a year, JT built deep relationships with communities, gathered authentic content, and pitched compelling stories to both local and national outlets. These efforts - coordinated with additional partners - resulted in more than 200 media stories spotlighting the campaign’s impact.
On the digital front, JT launched and managed the campaign’s national social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) more than a year in advance, steadily building momentum for local projects and arts-and-health advocacy. A dynamic content mix was developed to resonate with diverse audiences, including:
Creative short-form video series that broke down the arts-health connection in clear, engaging ways
Collaborative posts with arts organizations, artists, leaders, and celebrities to draw new audiences and place a national spotlight on local projects.
Memes, trending videos, and shareable graphics to boost engagement—especially among younger audiences.
Photography and video storytelling from on-the-ground visits to local sites, showcasing events, performances, and community art in progress.
Research explainers that transformed complex data into accessible, swipeable content.
JT also provided tools and infrastructure to ensure smooth collaboration between the national and local teams. Local sites received monthly templated posts, toolkits, and easy pathways to funnel photos and videos to JT for national posting. A live content pipeline was coordinated for July 27th, enabling real-time coverage of events across time zones.
The campaign’s digital presence extended beyond social media. JT collaborated with Orbis Web Design to create a robust, interactive website that served as the national hub - featuring individual site pages, an interactive map, an AI-powered research chatbot, photos, videos, and clear calls to action for visitors to engage, attend, or contribute. The site also hosted periodic newsletters, sharing updates and inviting ongoing participation.
Strategic content “drops” leading up to the national day of action included a trailer video, an anthem song, and a celebrity PSA featuring Debbie Allen, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jerry Trainor, all of which were coordinated across social channels and amplified through collaborations with more than 20 celebrities and influencers. JT led the posting and collaborations for these on social media.
From local media outreach to national digital strategy, JT’s work ensured the Arts For EveryBody campaign was not only seen, but also felt - uniting communities under a shared vision of creativity, connection, and the transformative role of the arts in health and wellbeing.
On July 27, 2024, the Arts For EveryBody campaign united more than 18 communities nationwide in a single day of creativity, with each site hosting a distinctive arts and health event. Spanning multiple time zones, these celebrations drew thousands of attendees from morning through evening. The movement’s impact reached even further, as 16 additional U.S. cities hosted their own Arts For EveryBody events in collaboration with the National League of Cities, with cities like Bennington, VT and Miramar, FL officially proclaiming July 27 as “Arts and Health Day.”
The campaign achieved exceptional reach both online and in the media. In under one year, Arts For EveryBody’s social channels grew to nearly 20,000 followers - including 18,000 Instagram followers - and generated 1.9 million impressions. Strategic collaborations with celebrity ambassadors, including a PSA produced by Soze Agency featuring Debbie Allen, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jerry Trainor, reached over 9 million people. When the 18 sites debuted their projects in July 2024, the campaign hashtag #ArtsForEveryBody alone generated 4.6 million impressions, fueled by both official campaign posts and widespread organic sharing.
With hundreds of collaborative posts featuring arts organizations, artists, community leaders, and celebrities, the campaign placed a national spotlight on local art while engaging diverse audiences across the country. This approach helped make Arts For EveryBody’s channels one of the most active, engaging, and fastest-growing presences in the online arts-and-health space.
Media coverage reinforced this momentum. Working alongside partners nationwide, JT helped secure over 200 local and national media stories about the July 27 events, elevating both individual community efforts and the broader movement.
The Arts For EveryBody campaign was a team effort, and JT was proud to work alongside many team members.
