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With just 50 participants, the study was small. However, it echoed the findings of another report – published last year by Frontier Economics – which looked more broadly at the UK culture sector’s impact on wellbeing. It put the health benefits associated with regular engagement with the arts (including visiting museums, galleries or watching gigs) at £8bn per year to the UK economy, thanks to improvements in quality of life and productivity. It came as many councils cut art budgets to balance the books. “Our research is important as decisions made in the absence of appropriate evidence may assume that the monetary value of some investments is zero,” said Sarah Karlsberg of Frontier Economics. “This has historically encouraged investment away from areas such as culture and heritage, where the wider impact on the economy has been difficult to monetise.” Cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both mind and body A growing body of research is now putting a wellbeing value on art, which the King’s trial adds to. “Our unique and original study provides compelling evidence that viewing art in a gallery is ‘good for you’,” said Dr Woods. “In essence, art doesn’t just move us emotionally – it calms the body too.” Main image: Pauline Loroy
