The evidence-base for how the arts create social impact

There are hundreds of evaluation and research projects which have sought to establish the link between arts engagement and social impact, and a number of meta-literature reviews which have looked at the quality of the evidence. On this page we have summarised some of the key findings:

WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS

2 hours per week of arts engagement can support good mental wellbeing.
The arts can have positive impacts on healthy eating, physical activity, mental wellbeing and social health.
The arts can also have positive impacts on preventing tobacco use and harm from alcohol.

Certain types of regular, active arts participation have been shown to have positive benefits for older adults’ health and wellbeing.
Some types of arts activities lead to therapeutic outcomes and wellbeing for patients.
Social arts activities can have positive social development impacts in early childhood.
Some types of arts engagement have positive correlations with academic engagement and self-efficacy outcomes for school-age children.
Some people are motivated to engage in arts-related physical exercise where mainstream activities (e.g. going to the gym, team sports) do not have a motivating impact

Sometimes, arts activities can support social cohesion, prosocial behaviours and increased connection and empathy.