ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses examples drawn from research studies on a range of arts projects and programmes in health and care. The use of visual arts and music to enhance the healthcare environment is not new, there has been increased awareness of the way in which the design of healthcare environments can improve the experiences of patients and staff as well as contributing to clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness. A text on arts, health and well-being would be incomplete without a discussion of community singing, the benefits of which are increasingly recognised in a burgeoning evidence base. Community arts for health and well-being has been defined as a distinct area of activity operating outside of acute healthcare settings, often focused on the concerns of local people rather than the agendas of professionals and policy makers. Music and arts represent valuable community assets, particularly for members of disadvantaged communities who may have a strong investment in a shared cultural heritage.
