Organizations have used the arts to address social inequalities and inequities while also promoting social inclusion, skills development and health promotion. When dance is the group activity, research has identified a variety of social, physical, and personal benefits, with the most prominent benefit being the overarching quality of life or sense of life satisfaction. 

The arts are powerful tools to support health. They have the power to: 

• Engage specific populations through culturally resonant activities

• Transcend language barriers

• Appeal to people emotionally

• Empower individuals and communities with collaborative engagement.

Community Cohesion

Among different cultural groups, the arts can help to reduce ethnic tensions and improve interethnic relations and cultural competence. Refugees and asylum seekers have reported that engagement with the arts following forced displacement supported them in creating new networks and developing practical skills useful in finding work.

Group activities such as crafts and singing are particularly effective at fostering cooperation and a sense of social inclusion for children and adults and across different cultures.

The arts are also effective in building trust between civil services and disenfranchised populations. Hip-hop, music, poetry and street and circus arts have all been used to support homeless or vulnerable people to build trusting relationships with people in the wider community. Multi-ethnic populations tend to be less likely to access psychological services, but are more likely to engage in arts activities that focus on mental health. Overall, the arts can be used to reduce isolation and increase community engagement.

The arts can be used to communicate in a way that is sensitive to local cultural traditions, and it can cross the tensions that sometimes exist in when trying to communicate with people about health.

Reducing Social Isolation

Social isolation—defined as less than weekly contact with family, friends or neighbours—affects those on low incomes twice as much as their more affluent counterparts.

One study asked a group of women about the social value of participating in regular dance classes. The results highlighted a significant increase in their engagement in social activities and a widening of their social networks. 

Social isolation problems account for one-third of physician visits, including issues related to poor physical and mental health. These problems also place individuals in significantly increased risk for dementia.

Loneliness and the lack of social support are both linked with adverse physiological responses, cognitive decline, functional and motor decline, mental illness and premature mortality. Experimental studies in group singing sessions, for example, have shown evidence for self-reported stronger social bonding and social behaviours. These studies also observed higher oxytocin levels and revealed that participants experienced these benefits faster than they would if engaged in other social activities.

The arts foster prosocial behaviour, a shared sense of success, physical coordination, shared attention, shared motivation and group identity.

The arts have been shown to help support conflict resolution through developing cognitive, emotional and social skills for constructive engagement with conflict, and by supporting empathy, trust, social engagement, collaboration and transformative learning, producing more cooperative relationships.

The arts can also form a bridge between different groups; for example, activities such as dance, arts classes and theatre have been shown to foster greater social inclusion in patients with dementia and their caregivers, children and adults with and without disabilities, police and ex-offenders and adults across different generations. These activities all build social and community capital within societies.

Engagement with the arts can also lead to greater prosocial behaviours within communities, including volunteering and charitable giving and can enhance social consciousness. Although there is no consensus that any one type of arts program is the most effective, results appear to be strongest when individuals and communities are actively involved in the creation of the art. 

The financial impact on society for those with behavioural problems could be offset more often through arts engagement.