Janice Baker

Janice Baker, MA, CTRS, CAGS is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, mixed media and jewelry artist. Ms. Baker is an expressive arts specialist with a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in the Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts from Salve Regina University, RI; a MA in Rehabilitation of the Blind from Western Michigan University; BA in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Connecticut.

Baker established, develops and manages the multi-disciplinary Arts for Healing program at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, New Haven, CT since 2003. Program includes art therapy, music therapy and artists-in-residence who provide therapeutic interventions, events and collaborative community projects that engage approximately 12,000 patients, family and staff per year. Baker raised over $1 million in philanthropic funds to expand the program. Awards include National Endowment for the Arts, CT Office of the Arts and LEGO Community Fund U.S. Baker’s work centers on embodied sensory awareness and multi-modal expression using expressive art and writing processes to support the resiliency of pediatric patients with chronic and acute illness and behavioral health needs, their families and caregivers.

In addition, Janice Baker Expressive Arts, llc (2015) offers nature-inspired self- expression, meditation and poetic storytelling that fosters creative resilience as a wellness and self-care practice. Baker’s community workshops create connection for participants through shared art experiences that honor, support and transform their personal journeys.