JAHL Global Launch

The global public launch of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab was at the National Arts Club in New York, a historical gathering place for creativity and the arts. The venue is testament to the Lab’s commitment to artists and arts communities, and was attended by 150 press, cultural leaders, philanthropists, and guests and members of the four JAHL founding partners; the WHO European Region; NYU Steinhardt; Community Jameel; and Culturunners. Opening remarks were by Jack H. Knott (Dean, NYU Steinhardt) and George Richards (Director, Community Jameel). The Lab’s Founding Co-Directors Dr Nisha Sajnani, Christopher Bailey, and Stephen Stapleton all made in-person remarks, with Founding Co-Director Dr Nils Fietje contributing via a pre-recorded video. A musical performance by NYU students accompanied an informal reception following the launch. Jack H. Knott said, “We continue to discover how the arts contribute to learning and healing, but we have not yet leveraged the full potential of this research. The Jameel Arts & Health Lab will lead efforts to transcend the disciplinary silos that often prevent researchers, arts practitioners, and policy-makers from working together to advance understanding and impact.”

Fady Jameel (Vice Chairman, Community Jameel) said, “The pivotal role of the arts in health and care continues to be highlighted through an ever-expanding body of research. With the establishment of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, we hope to leverage this research in order to advance the integration of the arts into mainstream care and improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people across the world.”