To provide services to nearly 10 million people across more than 4,000 square miles, the County of Los Angeles employs 117,000 public civil servants—nurses and doctors, lawyers, social workers, firefighters, calligraphers, psychologists, clerks, parks superintendents, epidemiologists, photographers, janitors, art conservators, administrative staff, outreach workers, life guards, medical examiners, librarians, engineers, and so many more.
The Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources (DHR)’s mission is to attract, develop, and retain this enormous workforce passionate about public service. In response to the increased stress County employees experienced serving as front line workers during COVID, DHR developed a Well-being Initiative designed to promote a culture of wellness and support employee health, well-being, and personal growth.
DHR had long wanted a Creative Strategist residency placed within their department, and the Well-being Initiative provided the perfect jumping off point. A recommendation of the Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative, the Creative Strategist-Artist in Residence program is administered by the Department of Arts and Culture and places artists in County departments to collaborate with staff on strategies that address complex social challenges.
This Creative Strategist residency would focus on ways to integrate the arts into County employee wellness efforts (a tenet of the Countywide Cultural Policy), modeling approaches to employee well-being that embrace creative expression and foster creativity, cohesion, engagement, and resilience. This residency placement soon grew to a larger collaboration between the two departments.
Artist christy roberts berkowitz’s art practice centers on developing accessible pathways for creative expression that support individual and community healing, particularly for public servants and underserved populations. christy (who presents her name in lowercase, honoring the late writer bell hooks) is a Los Angeles-based artist, curator, educator, and community organizer. She began her Creative Strategist residency with DHR in July 2023.
Creative Strategist residencies are designed to start with a getting-to-know-you phase, a period of learning and exploration that helps the Creative Strategist see what’s working and not. This helps them propose arts-based strategies to test. Then follows, assessment, retooling, and a project or two.
christy took what she learned by engaging with employees from within DHR and across the County and proposed several projects based on a core philosophy: everyone is an artist. Central to christy’s work over the last three years is the importance of creating space for County employees to show up as their whole, creative selves and that by nurturing this, we enhance well-being and problem-solving capabilities, foster curiosity, and build resilience.
Growing research shows that engaging in arts and creative activities contributes to social connection, positive health outcomes, civic engagement, and a sense of belonging, not to mention providing opportunities for joy and learning. The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges that “art can help us to emotionally navigate the journey of battling an illness or injury, to process difficult emotions in times of emergency and challenging events,” adding that “enjoyment of the arts helps to promote holistic wellness and can be a motivating factor in recovery.”
Models and Practices Explored
christy’s projects explored holistic wellness approaches honoring employees as complete humans, celebrating their diverse cultural backgrounds and community ties. Select each tile below to read about the models and practices developed over the course of the three-year residency.
This 84-page comprehensive resource features sections on mindfulness and movement with research-backed wellness techniques; community resource guides to inspire learning and curiosity about the arts, music, healthy local restaurants, and more; and creative expression prompts. The journal provides County employees with accessible entry points to creative wellness while honoring diverse cultural traditions. It is designed to support employees during their workday. A digital copy of the journal is available to all County employees through DHR’s Wellness Portal.
Contributors include Stacie Yeldell (Amöntra), cesia domínguez lópez, Nazbah Tom, Carolina Ibarra-Mendoza, KCRW DJ Wyldeflower, food writer Ayomari, and artwork from the LA County Civic Art Collection and Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Featured artists include Rayé Zaragoza, The Linda Lindas, LA LOM, Alice Coltrane, and Doe Paoro, who provided cultural content and community connections.
This groundbreaking event took place on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, and realized christy’s vision of celebrating County employees for their artistic and creative contributions.
A collaboration between the Department of Arts and Culture, DHR, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the festival provided an opportunity for County employees to focus on their wellness by attending LACMA during the workday. In addition to the artwork in LACMA’s galleries, attendees could explore artworks created by County employees that were displayed on digital screens on LACMA’s Smidt Welcome Plaza.
The artworks were selected through an open process, which took place a few months prior to the event. More than 200 employees submitted original artwork in response to a Call for Art. Members of LACMA’s curatorial team joined christy and staff from DHR to review the submissions. Employees submitted pieces in response to the theme “natural light." The selected artworks included photography, painting, drawing, a zine, collage, and videography.
christy curated additional wellness elements for the festival that included a self-guided tour, sound baths, artmaking activities, performances by Doe Paoro and Linafornia, and more. LACMA featured the event and the employee artworks on their Unframed blog.
“The opportunity to use work time to do something like visit an art museum is a great idea. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent in the galleries and felt refreshed.”—County employee
“It was a really nice experience having my artwork exhibited in the event. I am a registered nurse and nursing is a stressful career. Making art has become part of my getaway since the pandemic of Covid-19. It keeps my mental health intact and enhances my job performance. Thanks, LA County for this great opportunity and looking forward to the next one!” —County employee
Inspired by a quote from Octavia E. Butler, “All that you touch You Change. All that you Change, Changes you,” this project was developed in response to the devasting January 2025 fires. christy developed a series of six Healing Through Creative Writing Workshops, led by professional poets impacted by the fires, to address the trauma first responders experience and acknowledge the loss that many County employees had experienced.
Studies show that creative writing can significantly reduce psychological distress and improve overall emotional well-being for those experiencing grief and loss. The workshops were designed to create a supportive community where employees could practice creative writing techniques as a wellness tool. This approach acknowledges that those who serve the public during crises also need dedicated spaces for their own healing and reflection.
Employees who attended a workshop were invited to submit a piece of creative writing to be included in an anthology. County employees can continue to access the anthology through DHR’s digital Wellness Portal. In addition, christy published the anthology into a soft-bound book, which was handed out at the second Employee Wellness, Arts, and Culture Festival and was added to the LA County Library system.
Participating Poet Laureates and writers from Altadena, Glendale, and the Pacific Palisades include Raffi Wartanian, Teresa Mei Chuc, Niku Kashef, Sehba Sarwar, Dr. Alene Terzian-Zeitounian, and Carla Sameth.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) partnered with the Department of Arts and Culture and DHR for the second festival, which took place on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Once again, County employees were invited to invest in their wellness by exploring NHM’s exhibits and taking part in a curated day of arts and wellness programming that included sound baths, creative writing, poetry readings, cyanotype workshops, and live music.
“I truly appreciated the opportunity to attend the Festival. It was such a meaningful experience to connect with colleagues in a relaxed setting while also having the chance to explore the museum. The self-guided tour was an amazing way to learn and reflect on art and culture while also taking time for personal wellness. It's events like these that foster connection, promote creativity, and remind us of the importance of self-care.—County employee
“Please have more of these opportunities. It is easy to forget our wellness in such a high-demand job and taking a day to reflect helped in ways I could never have imagined.” —County employee
Festival artists and practitioners included KCHUNG Radio DJs, Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas, Onyi Love, Teresa Mei Chuc, Sebah Sarwar, Alene Terzian-Zeitounian, Raffi Wartanian, Niku Kashef, and Brian Sonia-Wallace. Additional support provided by LA Metro.
To build on and sustain the work of the first two years of her residency, christy developed a LA County Creative Communities Toolkit. Similar to employee affinity groups, Creative Communities are intended to support employee well-being, enhance problem-solving abilities and critical thinking, build resilience, strengthen connections, and cultivate curiosity. By providing a set of resources, creative prompts, trained facilitation, and support from leadership, departments will be equipped to empower their employees to access the benefits art and creativity provide.
The Department of Arts and Culture, DHR, and christy approached three departments to prototype Creative Communities: the Departments of Health Services, Mental Health, and Public Works. For each, christy led a series of workshops, created a train-the-trainer video, and developed a creativity toolkit. The toolkit includes 72 activity cards organized by medium (e.g., creative writing, drawing, etc.). christy designed this set of custom activity cards to be used by individuals as a wellness break during the workday or in facilitated workshops for teams. Activities can be completed in any order, take between 5-15 minutes each, and only require the types of supplies found in a standard office. Each card includes a creative prompt, the time and materials needed, and step-by-step instructions.
Christy outfitted the three participating departments with supplies to complete all 72 activity cards in a moveable cart. She worked with staff to strategize where the cart would live to be readily accessible for employees – in a break room, in the kitchen, in a "staff only" area. She augmented the cart with posters, signs that could be placed in walking paths, and magnets that could be affixed to kitchen refrigerators or elevator doors.
In the third year, the Wellness, Arts, and Culture Festival was reimagined as a week of arts and cultural opportunities for County employees to participate in across the entirety of the County. The Department of Arts and Culture and DHR partnered to provide opportunities for County employees to experience the wellness benefits provided by the arts and explore cultural events during the workday for the week of May 11-15, 2026, as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. The Department of Arts and Culture secured 16 arts and culture organizations willing to partner and host County employees for free. Small and midsize nonprofits were paid a small honorarium to offset costs. Many of the participating organizations offered special tours, performances, arts workshops, and presentations designed exclusively for County employees.
“Many employees expressed that it was their first visit to the museum and how excited they were to choose this option due to its proximity to their LA County offices or homes. There was a steady flow of LA County employee visitors throughout the entire day.” —Vincent Price Art Museum
“It was great! Much larger turn out than we anticipated. I would say it was very beneficial for employees to have a midday experience like this. It improves morale, and associates fun, positive experiences with their job. Also, the ability to create freely during the workday is just so rewarding for people in the long term. We are happy to support this program well into the future.” —Stay Studio
Participating organizations included: 18th Street Arts Center, Angels Gate Cultural Center, Armory Center for the Arts, Autry Museum of the American West, Center Theatre Group, Glendale Central Library’s Reflect Gallery, Lancaster Museum of Art and History, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, MOCA on Grand, The Music Center, Pomona College and Benton Art Museum, Skirball Cultural Center, South Gate Museum and Art Gallery, Stay Arts, Vincent Price Art Museum.
“This was an amazing opportunity that the County gave us time during our workday to have this break to enjoy the arts. It really did have the intended benefit of recharge and de-stressing. Thank you!” —County employee
“Taking time away from work to attend an event at the Autry Museum of the American West was such a rewarding experience. I had never visited before, and I’m grateful the event encouraged me to explore something new. The experience left me feeling genuinely recharged, both personally and professionally. I truly felt the County was taking a proactive approach toward supporting employee wellbeing.” —County employee
In Summary
This Creative Strategist residency and larger collaboration between the Department of Arts and Culture and DHR produced six major projects that collectively supported DHR’s Well-being Initiative and demonstrated ways that government agencies can integrate the arts and creativity into employee wellness efforts. A three-year initiative such as this can only be accomplished through partnerships. christy and County staff prioritized building authentic relationships and practicing cultural humility throughout. christy invested time to build trust with local artists, cultural practitioners, and community organizations, recognizing that sustainable creative wellness programming requires deep community integration rather than surface-level collaboration. Each partnership was structured to honor the expertise and cultural knowledge of collaborators while ensuring County employees gained access to diverse wellness practices rooted in Los Angeles County's rich multicultural landscape.
Some findings that surfaced during christy’s residency include:
- Creative expression serves multiple functions. Arts and creative programming contributes to better quality of life, provides grounding and purpose, bridges cultural differences, reduces isolation, encourages self-determination, inspires collaboration, and strengthens resilience.
- Creative problem-solving enhances public service. Research demonstrates that arts engagement significantly improves analytical thinking, decision-making, and continuous reflection skills that transfer directly to professional contexts. A study by Lindeman and Hicks (2023) show how visual arts education cultivates disciplined habits of mind, while Ankyiah and Bamfo (2023) documented significant gains in creative thinking, social-emotional skills, and innovation capabilities. Li and Qi (2025) found a significant positive correlation between arts participation and critical thinking skills, with participants demonstrating greater capacity for analyzing information, evaluating arguments, and generating original ideas.
- Culture shift takes time. To support participation, the Department of Arts and Culture and DHR enlisted the help of the LA County Board of Supervisors, as well as the Department Heads and HR managers from the County’s 38 departments to encourage and allow their employees to attend these events during the workday. Despite their efforts, only a small fraction of the County’s workforce, approximately 1,600 employees, attended each festival. Over time, new strategies could be explored that build support for the program and ensure greater access for County employees to the benefits these activities provide.
Learn More
Explore the anthology of creative writing by County employees and professional poets.
Explore 72 custom LA County Creative Communities Activity Cards.
Watch the LA36 News segment on the LA County Wellness, Arts, and Culture Festival at LACMA.
Watch the video about the 2025 LA County Wellness, Arts, and Culture Festival at NHM.
Los Angeles County Employee Wellness Through the Arts resources.
Artist, musician, writer, educator, agitator, and emotional laborer, christy roberts berkowitz composes experiences, images, and objects that explore personal and collective constructions of power. One of LA Weekly’s 2012 “Best of LA People,” christy is the current CEO of KCHUNG Radio (a 2016 Creative Capital Award recipient and 2022-23 artist-in-residence at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles) and a founding member of The California Poppy Collective, Problematic Radio, Human Resources for Art Workers, and the Los Angeles Art Union. Her exhibitions and happenings have been hosted and/or commissioned by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, MOCA Los Angeles, Getty Museum, Telfair Museum, Chrysler Museum of Art, REDCAT, Hammer Museum, LACMA, Orange County Museum of Art, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, American Jewish University, among many others. Past residencies include the IMMENSIVA AI/XR Residency for Espronceda Institute of Art & Culture, Feminist Field School at the Centre Pompadour Neofeminist Institute in France, and a Glass Residency at the Chrysler Museum (2018). Her essays, reviews, and poetry have been commissioned and published by numerous publications. Glitzer, her experimental electronic music project, has one full-length project (“Score”) and she released her debut album “WOLVES,” co-produced by four-time Grammy® winner Jahi Sundance, under the name “christy” in August 2022 on Alpha Pup Records.
The mission of the Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources is to attract, develop, and retain a talented, engaged, diverse workforce passionate about public service. The department has recently developed a Wellbeing Initiative designed to promote a culture of wellness and support employee health, wellbeing, and personal growth among the County’s more than 110,000 employees. This is achieved by encouraging healthy habits and providing resources and a supportive environment to foster positive lifestyle changes and the ability to thrive in the workplace.