What is arts and health?

Arts and health is used to refer to all work with creativity, arts and culture that supports people’s health and well-being.

By arts and health, we mean all art forms which may include visual arts and craft, music, dance, theatre, creative writing, storytelling, singing and more.

Arts and health is delivered by skilled practitioners, artists, musicians, dancers, writers and theatre makers in collaboration with patients, staff and communities.

Some brilliant examples are:

• live music to soothe and comfort patients;
• dance for falls prevention and chronic pain;
• singing to improve lung health and memory;
• visual arts to improve mental health and well-being.