Arts and Culture
Arts and culture are essential to health, well-being, and equity. They foster a sense of belonging and community connection. Through creative and cultural expression, we tell the story of our shared humanity. Art builds civic muscle, influences social movements, promotes inclusivity, builds community, and empowers communities to address health disparities collectively.
Strengthening support for arts and culture can improve vital community conditions. Art and culture can:
Visual arts, theater, storytelling, and media have advanced movements on reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, substance use, mental health stigma, and other issues. In disaster recovery, community-based artists can provide emotional support and inspire collective action through storytelling to foster transformative change in affected communities.
Unfortunately, financial support for the arts is lacking, despite the contributions of art, artists, and cultural institutions to transform our systems and communities for health, well-being, and equity. The arts in public education have been disinvested for decades. During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. policymakers decreased investments in arts education, resulting in a loss of $87.5 million for state arts programs, and debated eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts. Arts education is crucial in supporting personal development and creativity among youth. Due in part to efforts to prioritize subjects like math and science, disadvantaged students risk losing access to the arts and the benefits of a well-rounded education.
Many artists struggle to make ends meet. From 2019 to 2020, the arts economy experienced a reduction of over half a million jobs. In response, President Biden allocated $75 million to the National Endowment for the Arts, aiming to strengthen the arts and culture sector and support organizations profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A revival in publicly-supported arts will require policy and systems change. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made headway in supporting and collaborating with diverse artists and organizations to use art's power to raise awareness and facilitate dialogue around health disparities. Initiatives supported by organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts further amplify these efforts, illustrating the collective commitment to engaging marginalized communities through arts and culture, working collaboratively to reduce health inequalities and enhance overall well-being. Local communities and changemakers can leverage arts and culture to advance health equity by promoting accessible and inclusive cultural activities that address the specific needs of underserved populations. Local artists can overcome social barriers and foster transformative social change to advance equity, health, and well-being.
Resources & Tools
Mo'omomi Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 03/31/2016
Chukchi Sea Planning Area-Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193 and Seismic Surveying Activities
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2006
Downtown-Westside Baltimore
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2013
Storytelling for Systems Change: Listening to Understand
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by Centre for Public Impact
Hawai'i County Agriculture Development Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Performance as a Component of HIV/AIDS Education: Process and Collaboration for Empowerment and Discussion
Resource - Journal Article
Storytelling for Systems Change: Insights From the Field
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by Centre for Public Impact
College Park/University of Maryland Metro and MARC Station TDDP/TDOZ
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Industrial Sand Mining in Western Wisconsin
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
The Effects of Wild Rice Water Quality Rule Changes on Tribal Health
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 09/30/2018
George Road Complete Streets Implementation Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
“Art and Psyche Festival”: Utilizing the Power of Art Against the Stigma Around Mental Illness
Resource - Journal Article
Lake Merritt BART Station Specific Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Revitalization in Historic Natchez, Mississippi
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Mojave Desert Utility-Scale Solar Project
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2013
University of Southern California Specific Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Lobos CO2 Pipeline
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 06/01/2015
Zoning and Student Housing in La Plaza Vieja
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
How creative thinking helped Seattle flatten the curve
Story - Written
Brought to you by National Geographic Society
Published on 05/13/2020
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