Arts For Arts Sake? Examining the Function of Art in Mental Health Settings: a Review of the Evidence

Synopsis

In this paper, we present the main themes included in this year’s ‘Design with People in Mind’ publication, relating to the function of art in mental health settings. We will review the academic evidence and examine the outcomes of key innovative projects seeking to bring art into mental health environments and discuss whether claims surrounding the potential for art to contribute to recovery and healing, are valid.

Using our ‘Vital Spaces’ framework which emphasises the importance of vitality, as well as psychological and physical safety in mental health settings we examine whether art can meaningfully contribute to a felt sense of care and explore its role in facilitating recovery. Our aim is to glance a critical eye over recent initiatives to introduce art in hospital buildings and present interview data with experts by experience, activists and practitioners on the benefits and potential drawbacks of this approach.