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Art In Action: a Region 8 arts blog

Welcome to a little spot we like to call Art In Action, a blog named after the magazine that the Arts Council once upon a time produced and distributed. Just another little corner of the internet that we have claimed to support, promote and educate the arts in Region 8!


Artist of the Month... Shykeria Smith


Past Posts...

Let’s talk about five strategies to keep your resilience sharp, so you’re ready to handle any obstacle life throws your way.

Let's talk about five ways to spread joy and positivity everywhere you go, that you can practice every day!

No matter what kind of stress we’re experiencing, the better we can learn to cope in a healthy way, the more successfully we’ll be able to manage.

Whether you have a little or a lot of free time, there’s no better way to spend it than by getting out there and making a difference.

Sleep serves a number of essential functions for the human body. Check out these tips to up your sleep game.

To help you make your next vacay the ultimate experience, we put together this list of amazing trip ideas to use as inspiration.

Hobbies are a healthy, relaxing way to spend our free time in ways we enjoy—but with the added perk of mental, physical and social health benefits that television and smartphones simply can’t match.

In the hustle and bustle of life, it's all too easy to put our health on the back burner. Check out these 10 tips below for small changes you can make today that can have a big impact on your health for years to come.

Autumn’s beautiful weather and fun holidays make it easy to find volunteering opportunities in your area. We’ve come up with a few ideas to get you started.

Have you been thinking about expanding your family to add a new furry friend? Look no further than your nearest animal shelter.

Ouachita Parish’s arts and culture industry continues to be an economic driver for northeastern Louisiana, generating some $52.2 million in event-related spending by its audiences and some $8.3 million in local, state and federal tax revenue, a recent study shows.

Spotlighting Region 8 visual artist Shykeria Smith

If you’re not a frequent reader, you might be missing out on some important perks.

Spotlighting Region 8 visual artist Brandon Virgil Sr.

You know volunteering has a positive influence (make friends, build connections, gain experiences, etc.), but did you know that it can actually assist your health?

Art galleries are a beneficial component of any neighborhood. Check out some of these ways art galleries are important and why you should visit them this summer.

May Day is a time to come together with family and friends and create festive crafts. If you’re looking for a way to get started, check out these 5 cool craft ideas to celebrate.

Whether it’s a few hours or a long commitment, volunteering not only supports those around you, but positively influences you as well. Here’s six ideas to get started.

The arts play a vital role in our society. In fact, without the arts, much of our history, expression and culture would be virtually nonexistent.

Turns out, regular writing and keeping a journal actually has a lot of surprising mental and emotional health benefits. Today, we’re going to check them out.

Despite their age, children can have a powerful impact in the community, if only we encourage them to do so. Here are four reasons kids should start volunteering young.

This Women’s History Month, get involved by showing support for the women in your community. Check out these ways you can remember powerful women from history, while advocating for women today.

When it comes to supporting local business, there’s more to it than helping the community; it supports you too. Check out these reasons why going local helps you out in the long run.

What if you could live with more compassion this week and share love with other people in your community, country or even the world? Turns out, you can!

It can sometimes be difficult to consider how exactly to recognize Black History Month. What can you do? Here are six ideas for honoring Black History Month.

Self-defeating thoughts can come when we least expect them and tear down our self-esteem and break our spirits. So how can we stand up to them and choose joy instead? Check out these 5 ways!

The art of meeting new people, and establishing new relationships, is a genuine skill. And, you don’t even have to be a social butterfly to master it!

Fortunately, recent studies have shown that volunteering with people (or a cause you care about) can actually mitigate depression and anxiety issues.

Positivity is key to creating an altruistic lifestyle in the New Year. If you want to start 2024 off on a high note, check out these tips for living a positive life this year.

We’ve compiled a list just for you on last minute gift ideas that give back. Try some of these out to celebrate the holidays more altruistically this year.

Do you want more opportunities to give to your community? We’ve compiled a list of holiday fundraiser ideas to get involved in yourself or with other altruistic causes.

As we dive into the season of giving this month, let’s explore how the very action of giving can lead to a more altruistic life, improve our mood and even makes us happy.

Singing with others has numerous health benefits for your body and mind. Here are a few ways to be healthier and happier with music in your life.

Gratitude is about more than taking a second to say “Thanks.” Gratitude shows true appreciation. This Thanksgiving, we have some ideas for how you can give gratitude.

On November 25th, support your local businesses and discover hidden gems in your town.

Amplifying the work of Region 8 visual artist, Benicia King.

This month looks at the world through the eyes of a child, so today we look at how you can recognize National Child Safety and Protection Month, and keep the children in your life safe.

If you strive to live an altruistic lifestyle, there are lots of ways to help out this Halloween. Here are some top tricks to make Halloween a treat for everyone.

Make October about more than just pumpkin spice lattes and costumes. Check out some of these ideas on how you can give back this month.

If you’re looking to celebrate this multicolor season in style with your family, check out these fun fall adventures you need to go on this year.

Dogs are the best, and this month you can celebrate them even more, because October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month!

Being kind to a stranger may seem simple, but it often requires a conscious effort to do. How can you show kindness to strangers in your life? We have 9 ideas to start.

How can you make a difference in the world? By reducing your carbon footprint. Check out these easy ways you can lessen your environmental impact and help save the earth.

A mentorship program has more in store than just for the mentee. If you’re not sure whether mentoring is right for you, take a look at these eight ways becoming a mentor can benefit you.

Tomorrow, September 12th, commemorates America’s favorite frothy chocolate drink in a way which brings together chocolate and ice cream lovers alike.

Whether you choose to volunteer at a local shelter, support military service personnel or donate to a cause you care about, your Labor Day can be focused on honoring those who have worked so hard to build up our country’s economic and political well being. 

While quotes might not directly stimulate our own lives, they play a significant role in encouraging a positive lifestyle. So go ahead, discover inspiration.

When it comes to living an altruistic lifestyle, compassion for others doesn’t have to stop with humans.

Coffee has been around for thousands of years, but it hasn’t been until recently that we’ve discovered just how many incredible benefits it actually has.