WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK Q&A WITH KATE FIELDING
Kate Fielding is a cultural strategist who is also Program Director of A New Approach, an independent think-tank championing effective investment and return in Australian arts and culture. Kate co-wrote Transformative: Impacts of Culture and Creativity, the organisation’s recent report on the powerful impact arts and culture can have on health and wellbeing.
At QVWC we also believe that arts and culture can be a tool for social cohesion, health, and happiness – we spoke to Kate about her work ahead of Women’s Health Week.
What role do the arts play in good health?
The role of arts and culture in health has been an area of significant interest in Australia, and in the 2020s it’s perhaps more relevant than ever.
The evidence from within Australia and further afield is clear: when people engage in cultural or creative activities, they generally enjoy a whole range of positive benefits. They are healthier both physically and mentally, have better educational outcomes, are less lonely, and enjoy a happier, healthier life in their old age.
Arts and cultural engagement has been shown to enhance social inclusion, increase confidence and improve feelings of self-worth. These outcomes, in turn, have a direct and positive impact on both physical and mental health.
Arts and culture tools are already being used in clinical and wellbeing settings across Australia, including in leading hospitals. While the benefits generated can be indirect, they are identifiable and measurable. It has been embraced by public health experts and can provide health benefits across diverse communities and cultural groups.
Can the arts also improve mental health?
Participation in arts and cultural activities has been shown to promote positive mental health through improved communication and enhanced self-expression and self-esteem.
In 2016, Australian researchers produced the first dose-response style study of arts and mental health, showing that two-hour “doses” of creative activities per week could enhance mental wellbeing in a general population. They found that the more people participated in arts and cultural activities, the better mental health outcomes they reported. This was particularly the case where participants enjoyed up to 100 hours of engagement with the arts in a year (after which the effects plateaued). This suggests two hours a week participating in cultural and creative activities has a significant and measurable positive impact on mental health.
In your research, did you find any surprising benefits of engagement in the arts and cultural activity?
There is strong evidence that participation can help lower your risk of dementia.
A ground-breaking 2003 study of approximately 500 individuals, aged 75 and older, found that “reading, playing board games, playing musical instruments, and dancing were associated with a lower risk of dementia”. Follow up studies since 2003 have supported this finding: cognitive and physical activities that stimulate the brain, particularly those with a social component as many arts-based activities have, are indeed associated with a reduced likelihood of dementia.
The benefits of arts and cultural participation are evident from ‘cradle to the grave’. From the singing of lullabies to new-borns, to those with age-related health conditions including dementia, participation can providing stimulation, reduce isolation, ease boredom and enhance general wellbeing.
How can women specifically benefit from engaging in arts and culture?
Our recent report A view from middle Australia: Perceptions of arts, culture and creativity found that one of the many things people really value about arts and culture is that it builds a sense of belonging and connectedness and provides an opportunity to gather together with friends, family and the broader community. This, of course, is difficult at the moment in Victoria – but many people are watching films together over Zoom, attending live performances in Fortnite and attending virtual visual arts events at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Some of the comments from female participants in our ‘Middle Australia’ report provide great insight into why people think arts and culture is important.
· ‘It’s bonding. Uniting. Especially music. Like with the community events, you get hold of your community more often. I think certain cultures within the community would feel like they belong, so that’s important.’ – Female, Brisbane
· ‘Arts and culture provide something out of the ordinary. It would be pretty boring without it. It provides something to look forward to and relax. It’s an opportunity to socialise – we’d definitely be more isolated if we didn’t have it. I can’t imagine something else that we’d do to achieve this. We’d be having to find something to do at home! We’d bring it into our lives, even if it was just with sticks and paper.’ – Female, Townsville
· ‘I like the fact that local councils organise some local events and that gets the community together and you meet all your neighbours and people you don’t know.’ Female - Sydney
The ‘Middle Australia’ research groups also spoke of the benefits to children through exposure to arts and culture.
· ‘My daughter was very shy; she had trouble at school. Now…she’s a different person. She had a lot of anxiety. It took her a long time. But I introduced her to art and culture and she has thrived, her whole personality…’ Female – Sydney
· ‘If you’re not exposed to all the arts and culture you’d be lacking imagination. You wouldn’t be so open to trying new things.’ – Female, Melbourne.