How Do Arts Benefit Society?
27th July 2021 | Words by Roberta Hollis
So much joy can come from visiting galleries, watching dance or playing an instrument – without these things, life would be static and unexciting. But what about the more measurable impacts that arts have on our society? Arts and culture don’t just enrich our lives - they are also a strategic resource to create healthier, happier communities.
Health and Wellbeing
Art therapist, Sam Ayre, works with a child during a project supported by ArtSocial Foundation
At ArtSocial, we’re very familiar with the positive impact art can have on health and wellbeing. We’ve seen first-hand how childrens' health can improve after receiving art therapy sessions. At the end of a project providing art therapy to children at St Mary’s Hospital last year, one Mother told us how her child’s stress-related eczema healed almost completely after just a few sessions.
Multiple studies have shown that higher levels of engagement with arts improve levels of subjective wellbeing. In 2011, research showed that those who had attended a cultural event within the last 12 months were nearly 60% more likely to report good health than those who hadn’t. Time and time again, we've seen the positive impact arts can have on health conditions such as dementia, depression and Parkinson’s disease.
Education
“To any parent reading this, take your child to a music lesson as soon as possible”, says Edison Carolino, a renowned music therapist who provides music therapy to children with special education needs at the OK Music School, funded by ArtSocial. This advice should not be taken lightly, with studies proving that taking part in regular music activities can improve attainment in maths, early languages and early literacy. One study even showed that children from low-income families who engage in arts are three times more likely to get a degree than children from low-income families who don’t.
Employment levels are also higher in people who have studied arts subjects at school and makes them more likely to stay in employment!
“To any parent reading this, take your child to a music lesson as soon as possible.”
Economy
Arts and culture boost local economies by attracting visitors, creating jobs, developing talent and revitalising communities. In 2018, creative industries contributed more than £111bn to the UK economy - that’s £306 million a day! For every £1 worth of salary paid by the arts and culture industry, an additional £2.01 is generated in the economy.
Building Communities
Music therapist, Edison Carolino, works with children at OKMT - supported by ArtSocial Foundation
There is plenty of evidence to show that arts can contribute to community cohesion - building stronger communities and making them feel safer. Taking part in arts activities can also reduce social exclusion and isolation – this is especially important for families that ArtSocial supports.
“For many parents of children with special education needs, it can be a challenge to find a social circle,” says Dina, whose daughter has participated in workshops with our partner, Koleso Obzora. Dina’s daughter, Darina, has Downs Syndrome that affects her ability to communicate through words. However, Darina has an incredible talent for art and prefers to express herself through painting.
Thanks to Koleso Obzora, a partner of ArtSocial Foundation, Sasha has become a museum tour guide
Koleso Obzora exists to make visual arts and museums accessible and inclusive for all children, regardless of their needs and disabilities. The charity has been fundamental to Darina’s artistic development. As part of their annual “I Am An Artist, This Is How I See It” competition for children with special education needs and disabilities, the charity hosts art workshops for families to attend.
“Projects like these are the solution to social isolation," says Dina. “Working with the whole family, these workshops can help children with special needs to integrate into society - making others more accepting and tolerant of them. Projects like these raise awareness that there are children with special education needs and disabilities and it’s normal.”
Another parent who feels part of a vital community at Koleso Obzora is Vera, Mother to 22-year-old Sasha who has a diagnosis of autism. Vera has always been quick to celebrate Sasha’s achievements which helped him defy the doctors' expectations that he would never talk.
Through Koleso Obzora, Sasha took part in a programme for young people with special needs to learn how to become a museum Tour Guide. He has learned all the relevant art history and how to present this to museum visitors - he has even led a master class on realist art at one of Russia’s leading museums.
““Koleso Obzora has united parents of children with special needs. Together we are power. We are now a community who can defend our children and fight the stigma.””
We’re raising money to develop, film, and produce a specialist online art programme that will connect families affected by special education needs with leading arts and museum specialists. The online workshops will help children develop their communication skills, alleviate anxiety, aid self-expression and provide a sense of community for their families.
Help us extend the Koleso Obzora community to reach families affected by special education needs in the most remote parts of Russia.
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