top of page

ARTS UNITY MOVEMENT
 

Using the therapeutic power of the arts to 

move people, heal individuals, and unite communities

Hands Up

Our mission is to deliver
ARTS-BASED experiences that: 

  • EDUCATE individuals with wellness knowledge, improving mental health and emotional intelligence.

  • ENRICH communities through exposure to the arts, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate community.
     

  • ENLIGHTEN minds to the experiences of others, inspiring connection and building empathy.

  • ENCOURAGE hearts to mend, healing trauma and growing resilience. 

BeWellArts
Image by Scott Webb

Interactive Performance Programs

AUM’s Interactive Performance Programs are moving and immersive experiences, featuring AUM's award-winning NewGround Theatre Dance Company and select guest artists. These talented performers innovate each time they take the stage by turning a performance into an experience, an audience into a community.


AUM's Performance Programs are renowned for the ways they explore topics that both inspire and challenge. Past themes have centered around: 

  • self-empowerment & compassion 

  • unity & inclusion

  • racial equity & unconscious bias

Perhaps the most unique aspect of AUM's Performance Programs are the opportunities they present throughout the performance for participants to become involved in group discussion and even create their own art, by crafting original, in-the-moment, art-response pieces. This compelling production style as gained AUM's NewGround Theatre Dance Company local, national and global recognition. NewGround continues to explore new styles and storyline concepts in its delivery of original works for the community.

Wellness Education Programs

AUM's Wellness Education Programs use an evidence-driven, arts-based approach that improves mental health and emotional well-being in simple, sustainable ways.

Our Education Programs are unique in that they:

  • Utilize the latest neuropsychology research 

  • Provide participants meaningful exposure to the arts

  • Teach mental health awareness and emotional intelligence 

  • Deliver practical wellness tools and skills


Workshops are instructor-led and utilize a variety of art disciplines including music, movement, drama, and art. Our Education Programs leverage experiential learning practices to ensure training transfer and learning retention. Because we believe people of all ages can benefit from our innovative approach to wellness education, we work with children and adults alike in a variety of settings including schools, businesses and community events.

Therapeutic Outreach Programs

 

AUM's Therapeutic Outreach Programs meet people where they are in times of need, offering them a safe space to explore and process trauma and adverse life experiences through the Creative Arts.

 

Our Outreach Programs utilize a variety of Arts Therapies including:

  • Visual Arts 

  • Dance/Movement

  • Drama

  • Drumming

  • Play and Sand Tray

All Outreach Programs are led by board-certified, licensed Expressive Arts Therapists, and are offered in both a crisis intervention context as well as on-going mental health support services. We are grateful to our partnerships with groups such as San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services and San Mateo County Sheriff's Activity League which allow us to offer these impactful programs on an recurring weekly basis to incarcerated, at-risk and underserved youth in our community.

Screen Shot 2021-08-30 at 8.05_edited.pn
Screen Shot 2021-08-30 at 8.05_edited.pn
Screen Shot 2021-08-30 at 8.05_edited.pn
Screen Shot 2021-08-30 at 8.06_edited.pn
SUPPORT
Image by Hannah Busing

Support
Our Work

We are grateful to our clients, audiences, corporate sponsors, and partner agencies for their ongoing support of the AUM mission. 

 

Join our movement.

Screen Shot 2021-08-29 at 8.01.47 PM.png
Benevity.png
Mosaic.png
San Mateo Cty.png
Prop63.png
BOARD
AEnB2Uq26eqFVHANz63-HxNQU7k_aBjeQ51Ybh1a10oDOGJAw7UfMeL9rZWchQvJUUJ1VJqC4hPRfXhcROQOiy6Txd

AUM Board & Staff

HEAD-CIRCLE-CL2.png

Coleen Lorenz
 MA, BC-DMT, CGP

AUM President,
Artistic 
Director, NewGround Theatre Dance Company

HEAD-CIRCLE-RJ.png

RJ Mahadev
 

AUM Secretary and Treasurer

HEAD CIRCLE LS.png

Lisa Spivey

AUM Board Member-at-Large

HEAD CIRCLE DW.png

Devora Weinapple
MA, LMFT, ATR-BC

AUM Board Member,
Director of Web and Graphics

HEAD-CIRCLE-RW.png

Roberta Wentzel-Walter
MA, ATR-BC

AUM Vice President, 
Behavioral Health & Recovery
Services Director

1486681121-mcginnis198.jpg

Heather McGinnis

AUM Executive Director

CONTACT

Keep in Touch!

Thanks for subscribing!

bottom of page