Over the past few decades, the use of the arts in health has burgeoned.
What, for many centuries, was seen as a fringe activity is now being
recognised as a field that has enormous potential for impacting
positively on both individuals and societies. However, despite this
surge in interest and activity, there is still limited support available
for people working in the field. Although the number of practical
training courses for artists is growing and more universities are
establishing research groups, most training activity occurs in either
practice or research; there are relatively few opportunities to gain
parallel experience in both.
Arts in Health: Designing and Researching Interventions provides a
complete overview of how to go about undertaking research and practice
in the field of arts in health. It starts by exploring the context for
arts in health interventions, including the history of the use of arts
in health and the theoretical and political developments that have laid
the foundations for its flourishing. It also considers what 'arts in
health' encompasses and the range of disciplines involved.
Part II examines how to design an arts in health intervention, develop
partnerships and find funding and considers the sensitivities around
working in healthcare.
Part III considers the value of research for the field of arts in health
and how to design and undertake a research project.
Finally, part IV provides a fact file of arts in health research and
practice, showing how the arts can be applied and the benefits they can
bring across a range of medical disciplines. The book will be valuable
for researchers, practitioners, healthcare professionals and those
interested in learning more about the field.
