European Collaboration of Healthcare and Art with Focus on Social Inclusion and Wellbeing

Abstract

This article examines the health benefits, for healthcare service users with various disabilities, of participating in a European collaborative art project. The first section describes the organisations involved and the background for the project. The findings – based on evaluations, testimonies and interviews – suggest that the project promoted wellbeing; stimulated a changed notion of social identity; and also contributed to social engagement and inclusion. The second section starts with considering the role of the Community Learning Programme at Tate Modern Gallery in delivering inclusive workshops, and evaluates it with respect to service users’ needs; this section concludes by questioning the social role of galleries and museums and explores how these could contribute significantly to the health and wellbeing of local communities by promoting arts and health programmes.