Here at KQED Arts, we’ve learned a few things.

Whenever we get dismayed at the state of the country, art gives us hope.

Whenever we lose faith in our role in the world, art gives us purpose.

Whenever we’re so in our feels that we can’t think straight, art gives us clarity.

Whenever we’ve thought we were numb to inspiration, art surprises us.

You know that feeling of walking out of a theater, a concert hall, a nightclub or museum and feeling a head-to-toe renewal? That’s art inspiring your mind, body and soul, and it’s a feeling that can be had in just about every nook and cranny of the Bay Area.

On national Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, we celebrate the ways in which art can be enjoyed, shared and created.

Here are 15 ways to spend the holiday:

1. Visit a local gallery.

2. Find your favorite museum.

200 Years of Eclectic Bay Area Art at BAMPFA

3. Take a solo trip around San Francisco.

4. Find a new book to read.

5. Find a local event curated just for you on #TheDoList.

6. Join a book club.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/introducing-the-pbs-newshour-new-york-times-book-club-now-read-this

7. Discover the year’s best music.

8. Attend a dance performance in the street.

9. Try your hand at writing a poem or an essay.

10. Get inspired by the legendary Bob Ross, and paint some happy trees.

11. Learn how to DJ.

12. Take a course with KQED Art School.

13. Watch an inspirational short film.

http://blogs.kqed.org/filmschoolshorts/

14. Take a walk around your neighborhood in search of public art.

15. Pick up a pen and piece of paper and start drawing!