Art as Medicine

Whether we experience art as a maker or an observer, its power is evident not only in the pleasure it affords, but in the healing it makes possible. Science increasingly reveals the therapeutic value of creative pursuits, which can improve mobility, memory and speech; relieve pain and the after-effects of trauma; enhance mental health and learning outcomes; and build personal and community power. Imaging technologies are showing us what happens to the brain on art, pop culture icons are seizing on their celebrity to spread the message of health, and forward-thinking communities are weaving art into their public spaces and problem-solving venues. What is the role of art in individual and community well-being and how do we use it most effectively?