Canvas of the Heart: A Podcast of Art Heals Arizona cover art

Canvas of the Heart: A Podcast of Art Heals Arizona

Canvas of the Heart: A Podcast of Art Heals Arizona

By: Art Heals Arizona (formerly Free Arts)
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Summary

 Canvas of the Heart is the podcast of Art Heals Arizona, where we explore what it actually looks like when art changes a life. Each episode, we go inside the work — talking with the artists, mentors, staff, volunteers, and community members who show up for children who've experienced trauma. Not just to describe the mission, but also to tell the stories that live inside it. Art Heals Arizona connects children with caring adults and creative experiences that build resilience, identity, and the belief that they can make something. We've been doing this work for over 30 years, across Phoenix, Tucson, and beyond. If you're new here, welcome. If you've been with us a while, you already know — art heals.2023 Art Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Art Heals Arizona!

    Art Heals Arizona!
    Mar 11 2026
    For 30 years, we've put the words "abused children" on our letterhead, our emails, our collateral — including the materials our own participants could see. This episode of Canvas of the Heart is about why that had to change. Board President Coree Neumeyer joins Matt to talk about the rebrand from Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona to Art Heals Arizona — and why now was the time. But there's a moment in this conversation that stopped us cold. Coree was prepping for the podcast, and her son — unprompted, no context — said the first thing that came to his mind: "The name probably doesn't make the children feel very good." That's it. That's the whole argument. A kid said in ten seconds what took us years to fully act on. Same mission. 7,000 children a year. 300+ volunteers. A name that finally tells the truth. #ArtHealsAz #NonprofitLeadership #CanvasOfTheHeart #Rebrand About the Show Canvas of the Heart is the podcast of Art Heals Arizona, where we explore what it actually looks like when art changes a life. Hosted by CEO, Matt Sandoval, each episode goes inside the work — talking with the artists, mentors, staff, volunteers, and community members who show up for children who've experienced more than their share of heartbreak. We talk about the mission and tell the stories that live inside it. Art Heals Arizona connects children with caring adult mentors and creative experiences that build resilience, identity, and the belief that they can make something. We've been doing this work for over 30 years, across Phoenix, Tucson, and throughout Arizona. If you're new here, welcome. If you've been with us a while, you already know — art heals. Find us at arthealsaz.org and follow us @arthealsaz.
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    29 mins
  • Self-care Spotlight: Navigating our Inner world

    Self-care Spotlight: Navigating our Inner world
    Apr 25 2025
    This episode is a solo journey into thoughts, feelings, and taking perspective on our lives that support our growth and transformation. About Free Arts: Free Arts' research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to maintain personal well-being by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their personal skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies and shelters serving families, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants. To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer About Canvas of the Heart: Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts Produced by Alvaro Morello Music by Epidemic sound: Tell 'em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite Contact the podcast at hello@freeartsaz.org Follow us at Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona Facebook.com/freeartsaz Instagram: @freeartsaz Twitter @freeartsaz You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate
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    30 mins
  • Interview: Dr. Bianca Harper Director of ASU's Arizona Child and Adolescent Survivor Initiative

    Interview: Dr. Bianca Harper Director of ASU's Arizona Child and Adolescent Survivor Initiative
    Mar 24 2025

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Bianca Harper, director of ASU's Arizona Child and Adolescent Survivor Initiative (ACASI), whose mission is to foster the healing of intimate partner violence survivors. She walks us through the program's holistic approach to healing and the power of overcoming the stigma around these issues. Perhaps nowhere is the incredible healing power of art better personified than at the vigil ceremony hosted by ACASI and Free Arts, where families honored the memories of their loved ones through art, music, poetry, and storytelling. Free Arts' research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to maintain personal well-being by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their personal skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies and shelters serving families, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.

    ACASI Website Family Violence Center | School of Social Work

    To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer

    Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts

    Produced by Alvaro Morello Music by

    Epidemic sound: Tell 'em No by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite

    Contact the podcast at hello@freeartsaz.org

    Follow us at: Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona Facebook.com/freeartsaz Instagram: @freeartsaz Twitter @freeartsaz You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
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