Arts to Build Vaccine Confidence
The Award Winning Out of Hand Theater, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health and Performance Hypothesis, is striving to boost confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine through their program, Equitable Vaccines. Equitable Vaccines is an innovative vaccine confidence program that seeks to address vaccine deliberation among community members by intersecting art, information, and meaningful conversation. To achieve this goal, the program has partnered with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) to offer vaccine events across rural Georgia. During events, an artistic asset is featured, participants engage in an open, safe, and respectful conversation surrounding the artistic asset and reasons for vaccine deliberation.
Where it All Began
Equitable Vaccines—previously known as Time Has Chosen Us—began in late 2021, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, the program was supported by CDC Foundation funding and due to the program’s success, secured a $500,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). Recently, this DPH grant was renewed allowing Equitable Vaccines’ great strides toward increasing vaccine confidence among citizens in rural Georgia could continue through 2025.
Program Partners
Performance Hypothesis
Performance Hypothesis (PH) is a leading arts and health consulting firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to enhancing public health equity through transformative arts programs and community engagement. PH specializes in implementing culturally responsive programming, research, and program evaluation. PH has been entrusted to manage and quantify the impact of Equitable Vaccines.
CORE
Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) began supporting Georgia residents in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering access to vaccines–including the COVID-19 vaccines–assistance with benefits navigation, HIV/STI test kits, and other critical services that address health equity. Demonstrating a commitment to health equity, CORE has administered over 600,000 COVID-19 vaccines to community members and serves as the vaccine partner on this project.
Program Facilitators
Hi Facilitators! Please refer to this page for resources and program material. Below you will find onboarding material, the program’s artistic assets and corresponding conversation guide.
Meet Our Team
Brianna Smith
Evaluation & Research Manager
Brianna holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Nutrition from Emory University. She brings expertise in strategic planning, implementation, and program evaluation. Her passion for the field of arts and health stems from her background: Brianna was a competitive dancer for more than a decade and played the trumpet for several years.
Penny Cannon
Program Facilitator
Penny is a retiree from the Georgia Department of Transportation. She has years of experience in Training and Development and HR. Penny has a passion for travel, music and crafting.
Monica Williams
Program Facilitator
Monica has over 10 years experience in program coordinating and managing. She holds a degree in Education from Valdosta State University and has been extensively involved in community outreach since attending. Monica enjoys empowering others and making a difference in the lives of others. Her favorite quote is “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style” -Maya Angelou.
Marcel Foster
Evaluation & Research Adviser
Marcel is an arts & health enthusiast. They serve as faculty with the Center for Arts in Medicine at University of Florida, Research & Evaluation Associate with the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, and co-direct Performance Hypothesis. Marcel is a cheese enthusiast.
Myrline Newton
Onsite Manager
Myrline holds an Associate of Science and Health and Human services from Herzing University. She thrives in an environment where she can utilize her organization and leadership skills to bring a team together and achieve a goal. Seeing a project come to fruition and the impact it has on the community is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling for her.