ERIC Number: EJ1190348
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Aug
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0835-4944
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Available Date: N/A
Exploring the Impact of Community-Based Arts Programming on Determinants of Health Using Secondary Evaluation Data
Fox, Ann; Currie, Vanessa; Brennan, Elizabeth
Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education, v30 n2 p57-68 Aug 2018
Arts Health Antigonish! (AHA!) is a not-for-profit community organization whose mandate is to foster creative expression for community health and well-being (www. artshealthantigonish.org). Over a four-year period, AHA! programs have engaged approximately 20 local artists and over 2,000 community members through poetry, visual arts, dance and music, drama, and digital storytelling. As part of an effort to plan sustainable growth, AHA! completed a summary evaluation of six of its major programs. Programs selected for this evaluation had been offered to a specific group of people on an ongoing basis for a minimum of three months, and comparable evaluation data were available. The summary confirmed that participants in all six programs experienced increased social inclusion and meaningful relationships. Marked improvements were noted in health care, living environments, and education outcomes. Many positive outcomes regarding individual development were also identified, such as positive self-expression, improved self-confidence, belonging, and empathy. Assessing the impact of broader structural determinants of health remains a challenge. These findings provide direction for future planning, evaluation, and knowledge-sharing approaches.
Descriptors: Art Education, Nonprofit Organizations, Public Health, Well Being, Artists, Poetry, Visual Arts, Dance, Music, Drama, Program Evaluation, Social Integration, Outcomes of Education, Individual Development, Self Esteem, Empathy, Health, Program Descriptions, Foreign Countries
Mount Saint Vincent University. e-mail: cjsaerceea@gmail.com; Web site: https://cjsae.library.dal.ca/index.php/cjsae
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
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Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
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Author Affiliations: N/A