Experience How the Arts Can Improve Your Brain Health in October

September 19, 2023

Palm Health Foundation to offer free events during its October 2023 Train the Brain campaign to show how creative and expressive art experiences can change the brain, body, and behavior, leading to better overall health.

Palm Health Foundation’s seventh annual Train the Brain community health campaign kicks off on October 1, 2023, with the theme, “Advancing Wellness Through the Neuroarts.” Three free community events will demonstrate the connections between the brain, body, and behavior while celebrating Palm Beach County’s local arts and culture community. The enlightening and interactive events include an art show and symposium demonstrating how local students are connecting to their mental and emotional wellness through art expression, a lunch and learn about the impact of art in public places on community wellness, and a sing-along revealing how our brains react to music.


The goal of Train the Brain is to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. By sharing experiences in the Neuroarts—the study of how the brain and body respond to art—Palm Health Foundation is demonstrating how accessible this form of self-care can be to everyone.


“The arts are all around us, especially in a community as culturally rich as Palm Beach County,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “The beautiful imagery in our museums and street art, and the music presented on local stages and in our churches bring us joy. We’re making the connection to how the arts can benefit our health and wellness by providing free, first-hand experiences to learn about their impact on our brains, bodies, and the wellbeing of our community.”


Science has proven that art can work hand in hand with traditional medicine to relieve pain, enhance mental health and learning outcomes, prevent disease, and improve mobility, memory, and speech.

Palm Health Foundation is taking the lead in this rapidly growing field by launching the Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative to bring together local leaders in brain science and the arts.


The Collaborative, including the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, the Max Plank Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, and The Palm Beaches, is advancing the neuroarts in South Florida and receiving national recognition as the NeuroArts Blueprint’s first local Community Arts Coalition Partner. Currently, the Collaborative is working to identify and map local partners, programs, resources, and existing research to support the advancement of neuroarts in South Florida.


The following free Train the Brain events are an opportunity to experience what scientists and artists are proving together: the arts are good for your health.

 

The Art of Learning: A Cross-Curricular Art Show & Symposium

Thursday, October 19, 2023

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

A free event at A.D. Henderson University School, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431

Through art expression, Palm Beach County students are diving into topics like brain health and stress management – in a science classroom! Hear from these students, their educators, and a neuroscientist on the connection between art and brain science. Registration includes light snacks and beverages. Presented in partnership with FAU Lab Schools and FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute.

Register at: palmhealthfoundation.org/events

 

The Power of Public Art: A Lunch & Learn

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

11:00 am – 1:00 pm

A free event at Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center, 125 E Ocean Ave, Boynton Beach, FL 33435

Why are art installations important in urban environments? How does public art impact health and mental wellness? Join this event to explore these questions with local brain health experts and artists and take a tour of exceptional public art! Registration includes a free lunch. Presented in partnership with the City of Boynton Beach and the Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center.

Register at: palmhealthfoundation.org/events

 

The Science of Singing

Thursday, October 26, 2023

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

A free event at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, 4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach, FL 33405

Singing is good for the brain. Collective singing is even better! Join in on a fun sing-along and learn about what happens in our brains when we sing together. Registration includes light snacks and beverages. Presented in partnership with the Mind, Music, and Movement Foundation.

Register at: palmhealthfoundation.org/events

 

For more information about Train the Brain, please visit palmhealthfoundation.org/train-the-brain and follow Palm Health Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn for weekly brain health tips in October.


To further advance Palm Beach County as a hub for brain health, Palm Health Foundation invites donors to contribute to The Neuroarts Fund which inspires collaboration between Palm Beach County's cultural assets and world-class brain science institutions.

 


About Palm Health Foundation 
Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors, and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes, and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.


About Train the Brain 
Train the Brain is a community health campaign annually presented by Palm Health Foundation throughout the month of October. The goal of the campaign is to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. With information and resources provided, participants are encouraged to make changes in their thinking about mental health conditions and adopt brain health habits that integrate self-care behaviors into their daily routines. 

January 27, 2026
Healthier Boynton Beach, a Palm Health Foundation initiative, recently celebrated the unwavering dedication of family caregivers at its 9th Annual Caregivers Recognition Luncheon at Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach. More than 150 guests gathered for an afternoon of appreciation, connection, and joy. "Caring Hearts & Strong Hands – Celebrating the Love and Dedication of Family Caregivers," honored 130 family caregivers during a celebration that featured laughter, music, and meaningful moments, giving caregivers a well-deserved respite from their daily responsibilities. Montre Bennett opened the program with a mindfulness moment, followed by Boynton Beach Mayor Rebecca Shelton’s heartfelt welcome and personal caregiving story. Vice Mayor Woodrow Hay delivered the invocation before lunch, then handed the microphone to event host Rod-Z, who entertained guests with comedy, songs, and dancing. The JSharp Band provided outstanding live music that had caregivers on their feet throughout the afternoon.  Highlights of the event included keynote speaker Charlotte Wright’s moving message acknowledging the challenges and profound rewards of family caregivers’ service, and the presentation of the prestigious Caregiver Award to Angela T. Williams of Delray Beach, recognizing her extraordinary dedication and selfless service to her husband.
January 27, 2026
Thanks to a grant from Palm Health Foundation , The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) in West Palm Beach recently hosted a Day of Wellness for Palm Beach County School District Behavioral Health Professionals, who dedicate their lives to providing behavioral and mental health services to students. Seventy frontline mental health staff enjoyed a day of reflection, relaxation, rejuvenation, self-care, and professional development. The Day of Wellness was created in recognition of professionals’ deep commitment to the county’s youth and the emotional toll of the high-impact services they provide as challenges among school-age children continue to rise. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health , between 2016 and 2023, the prevalence of diagnosed depression among 12–17-year-olds increased by 45 percent, and diagnosed anxiety increased by 61 percent.  Set amidst ANSG’s beautiful and peaceful landscape of the sculpture gardens and the historic, inspirational Artist Studio, the program featured a series of therapeutic experiences led by local expert facilitators, including Creating a Garden of Gratitude and Hope, a therapeutic experience blending visual arts with personal reflections by Tiffany Mitchell and Amy Case of Rhythms of Hope, and Music for Mindfulness and Intention led by Bree Lukosavich. Participants also enjoyed creating a watercolor mindscape with art therapist Alicia Ballestas, exploring self-care with Shabrae Jackson, joining in a pollinator planting activity with ANSG Master Gardener CJ McCartney, and closing the day with a drumming circle led by Abasi Hanif.
November 26, 2025
The Palm Health Foundation Endowment Fund provides the financial foundation for long-term strategic action.
November 21, 2025
This fall, Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative , hosted a celebration event with community and partners to honor the resident-led work accomplished over the years of the initiative’s existence. In addition to food and fellowship, attendees shared aspirations for the initiative’s future and reflected on highlights, such as: The impact of Healthier Glades’ mini grants offerings Reduction of youth violence through collaborations with the “Dads on Duty” initiative The air quality initiative spearheaded in partnership with PHF Trustee Dr. Lisa Wiese The Safety Walk – an effort to identify unsafe areas on children’s walk-to-school routes, leading to the establishment of flashing lights in critical areas Resident connection to Mental Health First Aid training , strengthening the recognition that mental health is health Palm Health Foundation is honored to be part of the work that continues to advance health in the Glades communities.
November 21, 2025
Palm Health Foundation ’s October 2025 Train the Brain community health campaign, themed “Brain Health Across the Lifespan,” offered opportunities all month long, drawing nearly 300 community members to connect with local brain health champions, access practical, science-backed information, and take meaningful steps to support brain health for themselves, their families, and their neighbors – at every age and stage of life. Train the Brain inspired local organizational collaborations from Belle Glade to Boynton Beach to offer a range of community programs to help residents of all ages recognize that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. At “Arts on the Muck,” Glades community elders engaged in arts activities, memory boosting games, music, and movement during a football-themed afternoon. The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum joined with The Center for Child Counseling to bring the brain-boosting benefits of yoga, art making, and music to children, while their parents and caregivers learned practical, science-based tips to support brain health and emotional well-being at home.  “Collaborations such as these create partnership opportunities though which we can further strengthen our communities,” said Ljubica Ciric, Senior Director of Strategic Impact, Center for Child Counseling.
November 21, 2025
Palm Health Foundation ’s Scholarship Reception on October 28, 2025, brought together nursing and behavioral health scholars with their donors for an inspiring evening at The Center for Philanthropy in West Palm Beach, FL. Over 90 guests gathered in the center’s tropical courtyard to celebrate 62 scholarship recipients, with musical entertainment provided by orchestra students from Grace Notes Music Foundation . Together with donors, Palm Health Foundation has awarded more than $4.6 million in health professions scholarships since 2001.  Gratitude flowed throughout the evening as scholars met their scholarship donors—many for the first time—and two former recipients shared their personal stories of overcoming barriers to continue their education and become health professions leaders thanks to The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation. Dr. Alice Brumley spoke about how her scholarship supported her through the challenges of nursing during the pandemic. “More than financial support, it was knowing that someone believed in me, and my community was supporting me,” she said. Today, Dr. Brumley serves as Interim Director of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at FAU, leading compassionate, community-centered care for individuals and families affected by memory disorders.
August 27, 2025
Community campaign to highlight brain health at every stage of life, aiming to boost resilience and prevent neurological issues. 
August 21, 2025
Applicants must attend at least one workshop to be eligible for Healthier Glades 2026 mini grants.