Moving sideways from last year’s series of blogs on grassroots culture, I will now zoom out and look at the positive impact of the arts in general. Start the new year on a positive... why not!
An article in the Guardian recently caught my eye as it illustrated a new piece of research surrounding the positive impact and value of the arts in Britain.
I’m sure most of us inherently know how the arts positively impact our mental and physical health. What I didn’t know is that it also brings a staggering £8 billion boost to the UK economy each year in terms of improved quality of life and productivity. I’m not quite sure how they worked that number out but it sounds significant!
The report suggests how going to a gallery or even watching a live music performance every few months can enhance all of our wellbeing. The study described how factors such as reduced pain, less reliance on meds, improved mood, and improved physical health are amplified through arts engagement. Matthew Bell, one of the researchers suggests “engaging with plays, musicals, ballet, or even just making music can lower depression, ease pain, and make life better overall.” It might even delay dementia too.
The research highlights the arts as a genuine health game-changer. Most of us musicians already know this but to have it validated in such a robust piece of research is a great bonus. In the article, Daisy Fancourt further explained how arts engagement lights up the same neurological and physiological pathways as some medications.
This means pain relief, reduced stress, better mobility, and even stronger social connections. More examples of this positive impact on wellbeing were highlighted through different experiences such as how older folks attending drawing classes had less GP visits. This saved an average of £1,310 for each OAP. Young adults who got involved in music, theatre, or other creative activities also reported feeling happier and more fulfilled.
Overall, the arts bring in £7 billion a year in improved quality of life and £1 billion in workplace productivity boosts. The researchers also calculated that the average cultural or creative pursuit brings each of us around £1,000 in personal value annually.
So, what’s the takeaway? Investing in the arts isn’t just nice - it’s essential. Cutting arts funding could actually harm public health and put more pressure on services like the NHS. On the flip side, putting more into cultural programs could help us stay healthier, happier, and even more productive. And... of course, most of this starts in the grassroots and education sector of which musicians are a vital component that need to be valued.
Adam Ficek hosts a monthly show 'Tonic Music' on Totally Wired Radio, where he talks to various guests about music and mental health. You can listen again to any of the previous show on the Tonic Music Mixcloud page.
