arts to build vaccine confidence
Out of Hand Theater’s award-winning Equitable Vaccines (EqVax) program, developed in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health and Performance Hypothesis, successfully boosted COVID-19 vaccine confidence across Georgia before its cancellation due to the rescission of Health and Human Services funding in 2025. EqVax was an innovative public health initiative designed to address vaccine deliberation through the intersection of art, information, and meaningful dialogue. In partnership with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), EqVax brought artistic experiences and open, respectful conversations to communities across the state, creating welcoming spaces for people to explore their concerns and make informed decisions about vaccination.
Where it
all began
EqVax—originally launched as Time Has Chosen Us—began in late 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially supported by CDC Foundation funding, the program’s early success led to a $500,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) to boost vaccine confidence in rural Black communities in Georgia. Building on that success, the program expanded its outreach to include rural Black as well as Hispanic communities across the state in 2025. Several Spanish-language artistic assets were created, and community engagement was underway when the program was unexpectedly canceled due to the rescission of government funds. Despite the premature ending, EqVax made a meaningful impact through innovative public health storytelling and intentional community dialogue.
Program partners
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
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