Benefits of Art Events to Health
Art activities (theater, museums, opera, and concerts) are classified as "multimodal" health interventions. They combine multiple psychological, intellectual, physical, social, and behavioral factors with an intrinsic aesthetic motivation to engage. "By nature, human beings are creative, and we enjoy immersing ourselves in an array of artistic endeavors. After all, if we didn't, we wouldn't have museums, art galleries or graffiti on subway cars. But scientists have delved into art's value from an evolutionary perspective, and research suggests that art and artistic activities may actually be a key to a longer life expectancy."
A long-term study in England explored the association between different frequencies of arts engagement and mortality in adults aged 50 years and older. The follow-up period was 14 years. The researchers considered a comprehensive list of covariates, including demographics, socioeconomic status, health conditions, behaviors, cognitive state, and other social and civic engagement. A major question asked: is there is a strong theoretical rationale that underlies the hypothesis that arts engagement could be linked to people's chance of survival?
That is, do people live longer if they are engaged in art events?
The premise of the study suggested that arts engagement may be 'linked to longevity by alleviating chronic stress and depression, providing emotional, cognitive, and social coping resources that support the biological regulatory systems and behavioral choices. "Arts engagement is also known to enhance social capital, which builds individual and collective resources and to reduce loneliness, which is associated with mortality." Arts engagement can support cognitive reserve and promote empathy, social perception, and emotional intelligence, which are all linked to a greater chance of survival.
The research suggests that "arts engagement could help reduce sedentary behaviours, which are well established predictors of cardiovascular health and immune function and might also reduce risk taking behaviours. Arts engagement is linked to a greater sense of purpose in life, which is itself associated with better immune function and healthier behaviours. Further, creativity and imagination, which are an intrinsic part of artistic engagement, have been linked to increased chance of survival across the evolution of our species."
Other studies have shown that participating in art events increases blood circulation to the brain's reward center and are found to provoke the release of reward neurochemicals such as dopamine. Creative interpretations may help us better plan and prepare for our future. "Artistic activities encourage emotional expression, which veritably promotes better emotional and mental well-being. Any of these (or all of them) may contribute to art's impact on a longer life expectancy."
It appears that the process of simply engaging in art events is enough to promote a longer life expectancy. What if our health care providers prescribed participation/engagement in arts events (art museums, opera, concerts, and theater)? Source: British Medical Journal https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.16377
With our current self-quarantine recommendations/mandates, web sites of several art museums readers might find interesting. Currently, the ones selected do not require membership or cost to view (at least as of end of March). Also, check out the Smithsonian in DC.
https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-03-19/5-museums-offering-virtual-art-while-you-re-quarantined
https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/online-exhibits https://www.womenshistory.org/exhibits/women-nasa {these are the women highlighted in Hidden Figures)
https://www.museothyssen.org/en/collection (Thyssen-Bornemissza in Madrid) Next to it is the Sofia Reina which shows Picasso's Guernica
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187443-d191199-Reviews-Museo_De_Bellas_Artes_De_Sevilla-Seville_Province_of_Seville_Andalucia.html
The Barnes Collection in Philadelphia https://www.barnesfoundation.org/whats-on/collection
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187219-d243577-Reviews-Musee_National_Fernand_Leger Biot_French_Riviera_Cote_d_Azur_Provence_ Alpes_Cote_d.html
Maeght Museum: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187240-d229451-Reviews-Fondation_Maeght-St_PauI_de_Vence_French_Riviera_Cote_d_Azur_Provence_Alpes_Cote_d.html (Giacometti sculptures).