Overview
Canadian Context
Canada reflects global trends in Arts in Health which fall into nine emerging categories:
- Arts in Healthcare, where artists lead art experiences within a programmed, regulated healthcare facility
- Arts Therapy, where licensed mental health professionals use arts-based practice with clients in a therapeutic setting
- Arts in Public Health, where artists lead art experiences promoting wellness and wellbeing in venues that are not an official healthcare facility, for example libraries, community centres, schools, and public art projects
- Arts for Health Education, where art is used for health promotion to the public
- Arts in Medicine, known also as Health Humanities, which uses arts in medical education for student well-being and in training to become better clinicians, in Canada including University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
- Arts-based research in Health, in Canada including researchers working with Bridgepoint Health (pdf)
- Artists whose art practice is hosted by a health facility, in Canada including Centre for Addictions and Mental Health’s (CAMH) first Artist in Wellness.
- Arts service organizations that support artists with specific wellbeing needs, whose work may or may not have a health theme, in Canada including Being Studio and Workman Arts.
- Independent artists whose art practice has a health theme.
Investments in Arts in Health support the wellbeing of Canadians through a range of civic spaces, from liveable cities to the integrity of small rural community life. These investments over the long term build support for aging in place for Canada’s growing and active seniors population.
Both/And: Philanthropy in Health Working with Arts and Culture
Donor trends in 2024 indicated that corporate and philanthropic donations to the arts have decreased, while donations to health have increased. This shift might be interpreted as evidence that arts and health are competitors for philanthropic investment.
Many artists and arts organizations would like to retain their mandates separate from serving health sector mandates. From this perspective, arts and cultural organizations should not need to become health or community centres, and artists should not need to explicitly use their practice to provide community or government services, in exchange for the opportunity to make art.
However, some artists achieve financial security through jobs in Arts in Health, and the significant investments in Arts in Health above indicate that these two areas are not competitors. Arts and culture have measurable positive impacts on well-being even when not considered medical interventions, and arts-workers and artists are already participating in and employed by Arts in Health initiatives.
Investments, Economics, and Job Trends
The integration of art-based practices in our healthcare has the potential to generate substantial economic benefits. Research by the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing found that for every dollar invested into social prescribing programs, $4.43 dollars are returned back to society. These returns come from improved wellbeing, reduced healthcare costs, and a decreased pressure on our government and healthcare systems. By fostering mental and physical health through creative engagement, arts and culture can contribute to a more sustainable and cost-effective system.
As the recognition of the role of arts in health grows, as does the demand for creative professionals who can apply their artistic experience to a healthcare setting. This developing field presents opportunities for artists to collaborate with medical practitioners to enhance patient care through evidence-based arts interventions.
Why Economic Impact Data Matters When Making the Case for Arts in Health
The arts play a major role in shaping the social determinants of health. Canadians who participate in arts and cultural activities develop stronger community connections, which are linked to improved mental well-being. This engagement fosters active citizenship, encouraging individuals to take an active part in bettering their community.
Investing in arts for health also alleviates pressure on Canada’s healthcare system. As demand continues to increase on our healthcare services, Canadians are taking notice, with 38% identifying health care as a top voting issue in the upcoming election. A social prescribing program run by the Alliance for Healthier Communities found that integrating arts based interventions into healthcare practices resulted in fewer return visits, with greater health outcomes. This approach not only reduces strain on healthcare systems but also enhances overall patient care, demonstrating the significant role of the arts in public health strategies.
SPOTLIGHT
1% For the Arts in the Federal Budget
The “1% Commitment” advocated by the Canadian Arts Coalition (CAC) calls for the federal government to allocate 1% of its total annual budget to the arts and culture sector.
Through this commitment, the CAC seeks to ensure sustainable investments in the arts, including funding for the Canada Council for the Arts, Indigenous cultural initiatives, and the promotion of diverse arts practices across the country.
ArtsVote advocacy with the Canadian Arts Coalition
Providing social media tools and home election kits, ArtsVote 2025 aims to ensure that the role of the arts in our communities is part of the national conversation during this year’s election campaign.
Writing talking points that relate to your organization and local context, including Arts in Health evidence and examples, can help you to orchestrate conversations that support this call for federal investment in arts and culture.