Space 4 Art Receives Prebys Grant to Expand Pathways to Healing Through Art
$150,000 grant aims to promote mental, physical, social well-being utilizing a non-clinical approach and experiences in the arts
[San Diego, CA — February 10, 2026] — Space 4 Art is thrilled to announce that it has received a grant of $150,000 from the Prebys Foundation as part of the Foundation’s Healing Through Arts and Nature initiative, which supports organizations delivering community-based programs that use arts, culture, and nature to support healing and well-being across San Diego County. The funding will support a year-long initiative to bring healing-arts programming to incarcerated individuals at two major San Diego County Sheriff’s Office facilities.
Now in its second year, the 2026 Healing Through Arts and Nature initiative supports 50 nonprofit organizations with a total investment of $5.2 million dedicated to non-clinical approaches to supporting emotional, physical, and social well-being, such as engaging in the arts or spending time in nature.
“We’re so very honored to be one of the 50 nonprofits expanding access to the healing power of the arts and nature with support from the Prebys Foundation,” said Jennifer de Poyen, Executive Director of Space 4 Art. “Arts and culture experiences are essential for overall well-being— yet not every San Diegan can access them.
“This support allows us to continue our work with the Sheriff’s Office, granting incarcerated individuals access to essential healing-arts programming prior to their release into the community. It also allows us to pay artists to train, teach, and carry forward this trauma-informed work in incarcerated settings and beyond to meet community members where they are and to work together through the power of art to improve individual well-being, social integration, and community outcomes.”
Proven Benefits of Healing Through Arts and Nature
Growing research highlights the physical and emotional health benefits of spending time outdoors. Access to natural spaces like parks or water is linked to lower stress levels, increased physical activity, and higher life expectancy. Studies also suggest that nature can enhance focus and attention, particularly for individuals with attention deficit and related conditions.
Additionally, engaging in the arts can reduce social isolation by strengthening relationships, fostering a sense of belonging, alleviating stress and anxiety, and enhancing self-esteem and self-awareness.
“Healing doesn’t happen in just one place, and access to it shouldn’t depend on who you are or where you live,” said Prebys Foundation CEO and President Grant Oliphant. “Our intention with these grants is to honor culturally grounded approaches in arts, culture, and nature and to reflect what we know to be true: that wellness can be nurtured in the shared spaces of everyday life, through creativity, connection, and time in nature.”
To read more about the guiding principles behind the work Space 4 Art is doing through this important grant, read our previous blog about our ongoing collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office and California Lawyers for the Arts.
About Space 4 Art
Since 2010, Space 4 Art has been creating space— literally and figuratively —for artists to grow. We provide affordable studios, affordable live/work spaces, and free programming in support of both emerging and established artists. Through exhibitions, performances, and educational initiatives, we connect artists with audiences and foster a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and accessibility in San Diego. Learn more at sdspace4art.org/about-overview.
About Prebys Foundation
The Prebys Foundation is the largest independent private foundation in San Diego County. Dedicated to creating an inclusive, equitable, and dynamic future for all, the Foundation invests in four program areas: arts and culture, youth success, health and well-being, and medical research. Learn more at prebysfdn.org.