Arts, Culture & the Brain

We commissioned UCL’s Social Biobehavioural Research Group to investigate the impacts of creativity and culture on the brain. 

If you would like this report in another format, contact our customer service team. 

What did the report find? 

The report offers extensive evidence that: 

• Engaging in creativity and culture is linked to positive wellbeing, feeling connected, and motivation in people across a range of ages and locations.  
• The mental wellbeing of people in highly deprived areas can benefit more from taking part in creative and cultural activities.  
• By engaging with creativity and culture, relationships between parents and their children can be strengthened, while children can be more ready to start school, especially if they’re less economically advantaged.  
• Taking part in creative activities can help reduce a range of ‘negative’ behaviours in teenagers, including criminal behaviour and substance use. 

The report’s findings provide a strong evidence base for social prescribing programmes like our Thriving Communities Fund.  

Find out more about our work within health and social care > 

If you have any questions or need support, contact our Customer Service team.