Research

3,000+

studies reviewed by the World Health Organization found a major role for the arts in preventing ill health, promoting health, and managing and treating illness across the lifespan.

44

U.S. publications (5,080 participants) in a scoping review found positive associations across psychological, physical and social outcomes, including self-esteem, cognition, balance and physical conditioning. It also notes possible negative outcomes.

6,006

patients, staff and visitors across 68 publications: viewing visual art in healthcare settings was linked with improved wellbeing, and with positive distraction for patients.

25.0%

of U.S. adults attended a live performance or art exhibit in the previous month, and 16.3% created or performed art. Attendees were less likely to report always feeling lonely (2.7% vs 5.1%).

5%

of Americans do an arts activity on a given day (n = 236,270, 2003–2023). People with disabilities are among the groups with the lowest rates of daily arts engagement.

£8bn

a year in health and wellbeing benefits from adults’ cultural engagement in the UK, about £992 per person per year. This is a government valuation of quality of life, not cash returned.

$1.17T

Arts and cultural production was 4.2% of U.S. GDP in 2023, the most recent year measured.

<0.3%

of works sold at auction in 2025 generated almost 45% of global auction sales by value: a market concentrated on very few artists.