Research from the British Medical Journal shows substantial reductions in mortality for participants who engaged in cultural activities at the initial assessment point when adjusted for all identified demographic, socioeconomic, health related, behavioural, and social factors. Visiting museums, theatres, concerts and art galleries once or twice a year can reduce the risk of death by 14%, with more regular attendance lowering the risk by as much as 31%.
Read MoreHow do Artistic Creative Activities Regulate our Emotions?→
/A survey of almost 50,000 people across the UK found that taking part in creative activities helps people manage stress, face up to challenges and explore solutions to problems in their lives. Researchers identified three key ways that creativity is used: as a ‘distraction tool’ to avoid stress; as a ‘contemplation tool’, creating the mental space to reassess problems and make plans; and for ‘self development’, building self-esteem and confidence.
Read MoreCreative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing→
/Potentially the most comprehensive overview of the field to date, this report provides evidence demonstrating the impact of the arts on health and wellbeing throughout all stages of life. The evidence consists of an extensive literature review and stakeholder consultations, including 16 roundtable discussions with a total of 300 participants. The report includes ten recommendations, many of which involve greater collaboration between the National Health Service, government bodies, research councils, public health organizations, and medical schools.
Read MoreMayor of London’s Culture Strategy→
/City of London’s 2018 Culture Strategy. The mayor has also encouraged schools to adopt the London Curriculum, developed in partnership with over 80 cultural organisations, which centres around arts and culture.
Read MoreLive-to-Digital in the Arts→
/Report for the Arts Council England assesses the overall state of live to digital arts in England, across music, dance, opera, visual arts, literature, combined arts and museums (theatre is the subject of a previous report, linked in the publication). Findings include that barriers such as cost, lack of staff time, and lack of digital knowledge still prevent many organizations from using live technology; and though the demographic profile of those consuming live-to-digital is similar to current arts audiences, there is a desire amongst consumers to engage in live-to-digital in the future.
Read MoreCreative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing→
/A report by the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing, presenting evidence and numerous examples of practice which demonstrate the beneficial impact of the arts on health and well-being. Includes infographics and case studies.
Read MoreArt Thou Well? Creative Devolution of Mental Health in Greater Manchester→
/Explores best practices for arts and culture in healthcare, compiling research from Finland, Belgium, the UK and the US.
Read MoreHealthcare and the Arts: GP Survey→
/2018 report on a survey of 1,002 General Practitioners in England, which found that two thirds of GPs (66%) agree that public engagement with the arts can help prevent ill health.
Read MoreCreative and Cultural Activities and Wellbeing in Later Life→
/Age UK uses data from a national survey to construct an Index of Wellbeing in Later Life, and finds that out of the 40 factors assessed in contributing to wellbeing, creative and cultural participation was the single factor that contributed the most to wellbeing. The charity warns there are barriers preventing older people from doing the cultural activities they enjoy, and calls for increased accessibility for those aged 60 and over.
Read MorePanic! Social Class, Taste and Inequalities in the Creative Industries→
/Report finds that the cultural and creative sector in the UK is marked by significant exclusions of those from working class social origins. Women, and those from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities face barriers in addition to those associated with social class origin. These inequalities are reinforced by the prevalence of unpaid labour.
Read More‘Artlift’ arts-on-referral intervention in UK primary care: updated findings from an ongoing observational study→
/Updated findings are presented from a prospective longitudinal follow-up (observational) design study of an arts on referral programme in UK general practice, over a 7-year period (2009–2016). Examining data from 1297 patients, the study finds that a course of arts-on-prescription is effective in the promotion of overall wellbeing, including in those with very complex care needs.
Read MoreThe Audience Manifesto →
/An audience manifesto developed by the Royal Exchange Theatre and 2,150 audience members as part of the You, The Audience initiative, focusing on creating a genuine, creative and open dialogue with audience members.
Read MorecARTrefu: Creating Artists in Residents→
/The aims of the cARTrefu project were to increase opportunities for residents and staff to participate in the arts and to develop and mentor artists to deliver sessions for older people in care settings. Finds that getting involved with arts projects can significantly increase wellbeing and sociability among residents at care homes.
Read MoreCreative Industries are now Worth £92 billion to the UK→
/Summarizes figures from the DCMS Sectors Economic Estimates 2016 that show the creative industries grew at twice the rate of the wider economy in the UK in 2015-2016. The sector is now worth £91.8bn in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK - more than the automotive, life sciences, aerospace and oil and gas industries combined.
Read MoreWarwick Commission 2015 Report on the Future of Cultural Value→
/The result of a 1 yr investigation by cultural leaders, supported by academics from the University of Warwick. The report argues that the Cultural and Creative Industries are an ecosystem and calls for joined-up policy making and a national plan for the sector that maximizes cultural, economic and social return.
Read MoreEveryday Creativity - 64 Million Artists→
/Commissioned by Arts Council England and written by 64 Million Artists, this report looks at the role of Everyday Creativity in the cultural ecology. The work was delivered following the publication of the Warwick Commission Report into Cultural Value.
Read MoreTowards cultural democracy: Promoting cultural capabilities for everyone→
/The final report of King’s fourth Cultural Enquiry on the basis of a 15-month research project. Calls for a radical shift in arts support and funding to make creativity more widely accessible.
Read MoreContribution of the Arts and Culture Industry to the UK economy→
/2017 assessment of the macroeconomic contributions of the arts and culture industry to the economies of the UK. Finds that arts and culture in the UK grew by 10% in 2015, five times that of the UK economy as a whole.
Read MoreSTEAM: Why STEM Can Only Take Us So Far→
/Briefing from Nesta and the Cultural Learning Alliance says broadening STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – to STEAM, by including arts, would better prepare students for a career in the 21st Century.
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