Arts and Culture


Arts and culture are essential to health, well-being, and equity. They foster a sense of belonging and community connection. Through creative and cultural expression, we tell the story of our shared humanity. Art builds civic muscle, influences social movements, promotes inclusivity, builds community, and empowers communities to address health disparities collectively. 


Strengthening support for arts and culture can improve vital community conditions. Art and culture can: 

Visual arts, theater, storytelling, and media have advanced movements on reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, substance use, mental health stigma, and other issues. In disaster recovery, community-based artists can provide emotional support and inspire collective action through storytelling to foster transformative change in affected communities.


Unfortunately, financial support for the arts is lacking, despite the contributions of art, artists, and cultural institutions to transform our systems and communities for health, well-being, and equity. The arts in public education have been disinvested for decades. During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. policymakers decreased investments in arts education, resulting in a loss of $87.5 million for state arts programs, and debated eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts. Arts education is crucial in supporting personal development and creativity among youth.  Due in part to efforts to prioritize subjects like math and science, disadvantaged students risk losing access to the arts and the benefits of a well-rounded education. 


Many artists struggle to make ends meet. From 2019 to 2020, the arts economy experienced a reduction of over half a million jobs. In response, President Biden allocated $75 million to the National Endowment for the Arts, aiming to strengthen the arts and culture sector and support organizations profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.


A revival in publicly-supported arts will require policy and systems change.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made headway in supporting and collaborating with diverse artists and organizations to use art's power to raise awareness and facilitate dialogue around health disparities. Initiatives supported by organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts further amplify these efforts, illustrating the collective commitment to engaging marginalized communities through arts and culture, working collaboratively to reduce health inequalities and enhance overall well-being. Local communities and changemakers can leverage arts and culture to advance health equity by promoting accessible and inclusive cultural activities that address the specific needs of underserved populations. Local artists can overcome social barriers and foster transformative social change to advance equity, health, and well-being. 

Resources & Tools

Screen capture of Arts in Public Health Framework
Arts in Public Health Framework
Resource
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Mo�omomi Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area which includes icons related to the following: belonging and civic muscle; black, indigenous, and people of color; Rural; Primary research; belonging and civic muscle
Mo'omomi Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 03/31/2016
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Chukchi Sea Planning Area-Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193 and Seismic Surveying Activities which includes icons related to the following: clean water; black, indigenous, and people of color; Tribal; Primary research; thriving natural world
Chukchi Sea Planning Area-Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193 and Seismic Surveying Activities
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2006
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Downtown-Westside Baltimore which includes icons related to the following: belonging and civic muscle; people living in poverty; Urban; Primary research; belonging and civic muscle
Downtown-Westside Baltimore
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2013
Screen capture of COVID-19 Publications Repository
COVID-19 Publications
Resource - Website/webpage
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Hawai'i County Agriculture Development Plan which includes icons related to the following: food access; black, indigenous, and people of color; Mixed methods; basic needs for health and safety
Hawai'i County Agriculture Development Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Screen capture of Anti-Racism Publications webpage
Anti-Racism Publications
Resource - Website/webpage
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Cowlitz County Coal Export Terminal which includes icons related to the following: built environment; general population; Mixed methods;
Cowlitz County Coal Export Terminal
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Screen capture of Gao ’24: Art Education Is Crucial for Social and Emotional Learning. Stop Cutting Its Funds.
Gao ’24: Art Education Is Crucial for Social and Emotional Learning. Stop Cutting Its Funds.
Resource - Blog
Screen capture of Beyond Words: Experience Culture and Arts to Transcend Language
Beyond Words: Experience Culture and Arts to Transcend Language
Resource - Blog
First page of Performance as a Component of HIV/AIDS Education: Process and Collaboration for Empowerment and Discussion article
Performance as a Component of HIV/AIDS Education: Process and Collaboration for Empowerment and Discussion
Resource - Journal Article
Screen capture of Our Power Puerto Rico: Moving Toward a Just Recovery landing page
Our Power Puerto Rico: Moving Toward a Just Recovery
Resource - Report
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled College Park/University of Maryland Metro and MARC Station TDDP/TDOZ which includes icons related to the following: belonging and civic muscle; people living in poverty; Mixed methods; belonging and civic muscle
College Park/University of Maryland Metro and MARC Station TDDP/TDOZ
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Screen capture of WE-Making Resources webpage
WE-Making Resources
Resource - Website/webpage
Cover page of Creating Healthy Communities Through Cross-Sector Collaboration
Creating Healthy Communities Through Cross-Sector Collaboration
Resource - Report
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Industrial Sand Mining in Western Wisconsin which includes icons related to the following: environmental health; Primary research; thriving natural world
Industrial Sand Mining in Western Wisconsin
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled The Effects of Wild Rice Water Quality Rule Changes on Tribal Health which includes icons related to the following: belonging and civic muscle; Mixed methods; belonging and civic muscle
The Effects of Wild Rice Water Quality Rule Changes on Tribal Health
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 09/30/2018
Screen capture of Striving for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Arts article
Striving for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Arts
Resource - Blog
First page of Mobilizing Local Arts and Cultural Assets in Response to COVID-19
Mobilizing Local Arts and Cultural Assets in Response to COVID-19
Resource - Guide/handbook
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled George Road Complete Streets Implementation Plan which includes icons related to the following: active transportation; people with chronic and multiple chronic health conditions; Suburban; Mixed methods; basic needs for health and safety
George Road Complete Streets Implementation Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
First page of “Art and Psyche Festival”: Utilizing the Power of Art Against the Stigma Around Mental Illness article
“Art and Psyche Festival”: Utilizing the Power of Art Against the Stigma Around Mental Illness
Resource - Journal Article
Screen capture of A New Tool to Advance Equity: Artists in Residence in Government
A New Tool to Advance Equity: Artists in Residence in Government
Resource - Blog
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Lake Merritt BART Station Specific Plan which includes icons related to the following: belonging and civic muscle; Urban; Primary research; belonging and civic muscle
Lake Merritt BART Station Specific Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Screen capture of Art: Creating Possibilities in Emergencies
Art: Creating Possibilities in Emergencies
Resource - Blog
Cover page of State Arts Agency Revenues report
State Arts Agency Revenues: Fiscal Year 2021
Resource - Report
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Revitalization in Historic Natchez, Mississippi which includes icons related to the following: belonging and civic muscle; black, indigenous, and people of color; Mixed methods; belonging and civic muscle
Revitalization in Historic Natchez, Mississippi
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Mojave Desert Utility-Scale Solar Project which includes icons related to the following: food access; black, indigenous, and people of color; Mixed methods; basic needs for health and safety
Mojave Desert Utility-Scale Solar Project
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2013
Screen capture of Using the Arts to Improve Public Health
Using the Arts to Improve Public Health
Resource - Report
First page of Health Communication and the Arts in the United States: A Scoping Review article
Health Communication and the Arts in the United States: A Scoping Review
Resource - Journal Article
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Lowry Corridor, Phase 2 which includes icons related to the following: complete communities; people living in poverty; Urban; Primary research;
Lowry Corridor, Phase 2
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Point Thomson Oil and Gas Leasing which includes icons related to the following: housing; tribal communities; Rural; Primary research; humane housing
Point Thomson Oil and Gas Leasing
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled University of Southern California Specific Plan which includes icons related to the following: affordable housing; people living in poverty; Urban; Mixed methods; belonging and civic muscle
University of Southern California Specific Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Lobos CO2 Pipeline which includes icons related to the following: environmental health; black, indigenous, and people of color; Rural; Primary research; thriving natural world
Lobos CO2 Pipeline
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 06/01/2015
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Zoning and Student Housing in La Plaza Vieja which includes icons related to the following: belonging and civic muscle; suburban communities; Suburban; Qualitative research; humane housing
Zoning and Student Housing in La Plaza Vieja
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Screen shot of the homepage
Handbook for Artists Working in Community
Resource - Guide/handbook
Graphic depicting key elements of the Health Impact Assessment Report entitled Tampa Brownfields Redevelopment Plan which includes icons related to the following: environmental health; people living in poverty; Urban; Mixed methods; thriving natural world
Tampa Brownfields Redevelopment Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Screen capture of Art Provides a Way to Destigmatize Addiction article
Art Provides a Way to Destigmatize Addiction
Resource - Blog
Cover page of Problem Solving Through Arts and Cultural Strategies: Creative Placemaking Guidance for Local Governments
Problem Solving Through Arts and Cultural Strategies: Creative Placemaking Guidance for Local Governments
Resource - Guide/handbook
Children at play
Scaling Up: Ensuring Tenderloin Parks are Safe and Active
Story - Written
Brought to you by 100MHL
Screen capture of The Art of Abortion Storytelling
The Art of Abortion Storytelling
Story - Written
Screen capture of Bronx Dreams
Bronx Dreams
Story - Written
Brought to you by TNY
Screen capture of
How creative thinking helped Seattle flatten the curve
Story - Written
Brought to you by National Geographic Society
Published on 05/13/2020
Screen capture of Students Use Art as Activism at Divestment Protest article
Students Use Art as Activism at Divestment Protest
Story - Blog
This American Life Podcast Page
Amateur Hour: Theater of War
Story - Audio

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