Crafting, health and wellbeing: findings from the survey of public participation in the arts and considerations for art therapists

Abstract

This brief report presents a review of the literature on health implications of crafting practices, as well as secondary analysis of data from the National Endowment for the Arts’ Survey of Public Participation in the Arts. The secondary data analysis focuses on trends in crafting practices in the United States. The findings indicate a greater prevalence of craft-based practices compared with fine arts media, as well as, distinct differences in arts participation based on gender, ethnicity and income levels. Using these data sources, implications for craft-based expressive practices as a therapeutic tool in art therapy practice are discussed.

Keywords:

• Visual arts
• pottery
• fabric crafts
• health promotion
• creative arts therapies
• Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA)