Art, culture, and wellbeing : reaping the rewards of creativity

Abstract

Despite the stereotype of the creative as a ‘mad genius’, scientific research suggests that engagement in art, culture, and creativity (ACC) contributes to wellbeing. Documented mechanisms include enhanced enjoyment, social connectedness and support, distraction from suffering, self-expression, skills development, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and states of flow. Both active and passive engagements are positively associated with wellbeing, but the beneficial effects of the former tend to be stronger. Engagement also seems to be more beneficial yet less accessible among disadvantaged groups. Artists tend to report higher levels of wellbeing than non-artists, despite the stressors of their jobs. Causality is hard to determine as positive affect itself may stimulate higher creativity. Recommended actions include supporting artists through increased funding and employment opportunities, promoting ACC engagement among the general public, subsidising ACC involvement for disadvantaged groups, and facilitating research on ACC and wellbeing to better inform future policy-making.