Making Waves Policy Abstract and Video
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Advancing Health Equity for Rural and Under-Represented Artists Through Participatory Action-Research, Policy, and Cross-Sector Collaboration
Co-Authors: Kay Johnson MPH, MEd, Kia'Rae Hanron BS, and Lydia Clemmons PhD, MPH Clemmons Family Farm, Inc., Charlotte, Vermont, USA. October 2025. |
Introduction
Current and historical federal and state policies—spanning health, education, employment, housing, and other sectors—have a profound and measurable impact on health, well-being, and individuals’ and communities’ capacity to thrive. In rural states, these impacts are often magnified. Rural populations disproportionately experience social isolation, limited economic opportunity, and barriers to healthcare, education, and other essential services. These challenges reflect long-standing structural inequities deeply rooted in the social drivers of health (SDOH) and in public policy decisions at multiple levels of government.
At the community level, broad policy frameworks translate into tangible outcomes—social justice and health equity, or obstacles to thriving. Addressing the negative SDOH in rural communities requires intentional, equity-centered policy development and innovative, community-based solutions leveraging local strengths and knowledge.
Objectives
Designed for health sector, arts sector, and policy professionals, this session will stimulate cross-sectoral thinking and discussion about what policies are needed to meaningfully improve health equity for Vermont artists, including the use of innovative approaches to policy-making.
Methods
Making Waves is a participatory action research initiative led by a Vermont arts and culture nonprofit organization. It explores how public policies and cross-sectoral partnerships influence the health and well-being of Vermont artists with expertise in African Diaspora arts and cultures. It aims to understand and inform policies and strategies that improve artists’ ability to thrive in a largely rural state; strengthen the role of arts nonprofits in supporting artists' health and wellbeing; and inform public policy and program design in the arts and health sectors to advance health equity for artists who are members of historically underserved communities.
Making Waves is grounded in a socio-ecologic model adapted to the arts, alongside application of the SDOH framework. Methods will directly engage artists to document lived experiences, identify policy and service gaps, and co-create actionable solutions through collaborations between public health agencies and arts organizations. The research explores the lived experiences of artists as they navigate health systems in Vermont; how intersecting identities—e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, cultural identity, and national origin—shape artists’ access to care and health outcomes; and roles arts and culture nonprofits can play in advancing artists’ health and well-being through cross-sectoral collaborations. It includes a scan of current and pending federal and state policies (e.g., health coverage/care, food, housing, employment and the arts) affecting the health and well-being of artists in Vermont.
Implications
Centering the voices of rural artists specializing in African diaspora arts and culture, and exploring the unique intersection of art, culture, policy, and health, offers important insights for arts and public health professionals seeking to understand and address SDOH in rural and underserved communities.
Findings
Findings from the policy scan will inform participatory research; discussions between Vermont’s artists, arts organizations, social justice groups, and public health institutions; and a policy agenda for cross-sector collaboration supporting more equitable health outcomes.
Current and historical federal and state policies—spanning health, education, employment, housing, and other sectors—have a profound and measurable impact on health, well-being, and individuals’ and communities’ capacity to thrive. In rural states, these impacts are often magnified. Rural populations disproportionately experience social isolation, limited economic opportunity, and barriers to healthcare, education, and other essential services. These challenges reflect long-standing structural inequities deeply rooted in the social drivers of health (SDOH) and in public policy decisions at multiple levels of government.
At the community level, broad policy frameworks translate into tangible outcomes—social justice and health equity, or obstacles to thriving. Addressing the negative SDOH in rural communities requires intentional, equity-centered policy development and innovative, community-based solutions leveraging local strengths and knowledge.
Objectives
Designed for health sector, arts sector, and policy professionals, this session will stimulate cross-sectoral thinking and discussion about what policies are needed to meaningfully improve health equity for Vermont artists, including the use of innovative approaches to policy-making.
Methods
Making Waves is a participatory action research initiative led by a Vermont arts and culture nonprofit organization. It explores how public policies and cross-sectoral partnerships influence the health and well-being of Vermont artists with expertise in African Diaspora arts and cultures. It aims to understand and inform policies and strategies that improve artists’ ability to thrive in a largely rural state; strengthen the role of arts nonprofits in supporting artists' health and wellbeing; and inform public policy and program design in the arts and health sectors to advance health equity for artists who are members of historically underserved communities.
Making Waves is grounded in a socio-ecologic model adapted to the arts, alongside application of the SDOH framework. Methods will directly engage artists to document lived experiences, identify policy and service gaps, and co-create actionable solutions through collaborations between public health agencies and arts organizations. The research explores the lived experiences of artists as they navigate health systems in Vermont; how intersecting identities—e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, cultural identity, and national origin—shape artists’ access to care and health outcomes; and roles arts and culture nonprofits can play in advancing artists’ health and well-being through cross-sectoral collaborations. It includes a scan of current and pending federal and state policies (e.g., health coverage/care, food, housing, employment and the arts) affecting the health and well-being of artists in Vermont.
Implications
Centering the voices of rural artists specializing in African diaspora arts and culture, and exploring the unique intersection of art, culture, policy, and health, offers important insights for arts and public health professionals seeking to understand and address SDOH in rural and underserved communities.
Findings
Findings from the policy scan will inform participatory research; discussions between Vermont’s artists, arts organizations, social justice groups, and public health institutions; and a policy agenda for cross-sector collaboration supporting more equitable health outcomes.
This research was funded by The Wallace Foundation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
