Capturing the Contribution of Community Arts to Health and Well-Being*

Abstract

This paper reports on a VicHealth-funded research project which aims to enhance the knowledge of community arts, a field of increasing importance in mental health promotion. The research explores social capital and social inclusion, which underpin the VicHealth Mental Health Promotion Framework (VicHealth, 2005a). The framework seeks intermediate outcomes in attainment of the social determinants of mental health, defined as social inclusion, freedom from discrimination and violence, and access to economic and social resources. The paper reports on early findings as measured by the instrument Most Significant Change in the evaluation of the community arts project, The Torch Project. Findings include the development of the social networks of participants and of trust and reciprocity between members of the project group.

Keywords:

• community arts
• health
• well-being
• mental health
• social capital
• social exclusion
• social inclusion
• health promotion
• Most Significant Change