Art as Healing 

Art has been known to have benefits on mental health and the brain, but how exactly does it help? Down below, we explore the different ways art benefits the human mind.

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As a basic overview: art as a healing agent dates back to the middle ages, but more scientific proof of the connection has created professional art-for-healing practices. Engaging in art activities can help relieve mental health issues and assist in the physical healing of the body.

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In 2010, the American Journal of Public Health released a review of research conducted on the relationship between art and healing from 1995-2007. In this review, the findings of the research for the link between visual art and healing can be summarized into two major factors: art helps with mental health, and inadvertently helps with physical health. Among the seven studies conducted and reviewed, the research has proven that engaging in art activities created “reductions in stress” and “increases in positive emotions”. Visual arts also allowed for “improved focus on positive life experiences, self-worth, and social identity”. In addition to art benefits on mental health, the review summarized that visual art led to “improved medical outcomes” and “trends toward reduced depression”. [1]

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Another review, published by americansforthearts.org, reveals that engaging in art activities allow for “improved patient coping with pain; improved nurse-patient communication; and improved attitude toward hospitalization”. These benefits all help with increasing the quality of healthcare and well-being of the patient. [2]

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These positive connections between art and healing have been traced back to many centuries earlier. In ancient Greece, paintings, frescoes, and architectural pieces were displayed in public spaces as well as healthcare environments to facilitate healing. Specifically, a fresco displayed at Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala in Siena, Italy is meant to create an atmosphere of healing for patients. [3] Artists in history such as Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh have also embraced the idea that art stimulates healing spiritually and physically. [4]

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Since then, the use of art for healing has evolved much and new practices such as art therapy and chromotherapy have emerged as professional links between art and healing, however, the end goal has always persisted: helping the mind and body heal through various forms of art. 

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References:
[1] Stuckey, H. "The connection between art, healing, and public health: a review of current literature." American journal of public health, 100(2), 254–263. (retrieved January 28, 2021).
[2] State of the Field Committee. (2009). State of the field report: Arts in healthcare 2009. Washington, DC: Society for the Arts in  Healthcare.
[3] Savitz, Masha. “The Healing Power of Art From Ancient Times to Now.” Canvas by New Masters Academy, May 17, 2020. https://canvas.nma.art/2020/05/08/the-healing-power-of-art-from-ancient-times-to-now/.
[4] Prodger, Michael. “Hospital Paintings and the Art of Healing.” NewStatesman, April 1, 2020. https://www.newstatesman.com/hospital-paintings-art-history. 
 

Art Benefit Facts References:

[1] Greene, et. al., “Arts Education Matters: We Know, We Measured It,” Education Week, on the internet at www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/12/03/13greene.h34.html. 
[2] “Does Art Boost a Student's Critical Thinking?” Walden University. Walden University, October 23, 2020. https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/ms-in-education/resource/does-art-boost-a-students-critical-thinking.