More arts, More well-being: CARE campaign
The more we experience art and culture, whether by creating or simply enjoying them, the more at ease, balanced, and in tune we become with ourselves and the world around us. Learn how the CARE project is advancing work at the intersection of arts, health, and well-being.
Arts and culture have this incredible capacity to get us out of our heads, to point to what matters, to connect us with ourselves and each other. So, of course, more of it is more of you.
Mental health challenges are on the rise across Europe, affecting over 85 million people. The CARE – Culture for Mental Health project proposes an original and creative approach to address these, facilitating social transformation through culture. By integrating arts and culture into mental health strategies, CARE aims to contribute to the health and well-being of young people, working adults, and vulnerable communities across Europe.
Discover the project’s newest campaign: More arts, more well-being! The campaign brings together a series of vibrant visuals and evidence-based messages showing the deep connection between the arts and well-being. Each of those is backed by solid research and highlights how:
- Music can be effective in improving relaxation and reducing stress via physiological and psychological factors.
- Visual arts engagement can be effective in improving mood and feelings of enjoyment.
- Museum visits can be effective in improving social connection, mood and reduced loneliness, particularly of older adults.
- Arts participation can contribute to better social health, for example: increased social engagement, improved mood, and reduced loneliness in older adults.
Building on the legacy of the Art&Well-being and CultureForHealth projects, CARE encourages cross-sectoral collaboration between culture, health, social services, business, and education and promotes cultural participation as a way to improve the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities. The project aims to provide solutions at both structural and individual levels by integrating arts and culture into other sectors to support mental health in Europe. The project also strengthens the skills of professionals in the fields involved, establishes innovation labs in arts and health, and promotes the benefits of cultural approaches to mental health at European, national, and local levels.
Make arts and culture a habit! Two or more hours of arts a week has been linked to better mental well-being.
Partners and funding
Cluj Cultural Centre – Coordinator
European Festivals Association
Društvo Asociacija
Culture Action Europe
Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture
ARTS for HEALTH AUSTRIA (AfHA)
Bozar Centre for Fine Arts Bruxelles
The CARE – Culture for Mental Health project has a total budget of 1.4 million euros and will run for 3 years, from November 2024 to December 2027. The programme is funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe Programme and brings together experts from across Europe to explore the intersection of art, culture, and mental health for a healthier future.
Related
Arts and Well-being
In all its conversations, EFA puts the artistic dialogue forward, and the place of festivals, and the arts, in society including most recently festivals’ potential or task to nurture health and well-being - within their teams, among their audiences, and in the wider communities they serve.
