Our work is rooted in a growing concern about the state of the arts and cultural sector in our country. Namely, we believe–and numerous studies reinforce—that the arts are essential to strong communities, bright and enriching lives, deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, and competitive industries. Yet, despite these proven benefits, the arts are often considered a “nicety rather than a necessity,” repeatedly expected to prove relevancy during budget and policy negotiations, and often perceived as a low priority for busy lives or tight household budgets. In an effort to reverse this course, we are drawing on research, advocacy, and engagement initiatives to craft a strategy to build public will for arts and culture.
A new way to think about intrinsic vs. Instrumental benefits of the arts
For well over a decade now, advocates have fiercely contested whether the arts should be valued more for their ability to further non-arts goals, like public health or economic development, or for the unique qualities that set them apart from other aspects of social life. Just when we thought this great “intrinsic” vs. “instrumental” debate had gone stale, recent research from Mark Stern and Susan Seifert has given the topic a breath of fresh air.
Why don’t they come?
People with lower incomes and less education (low-SES) participate at lower rates in a huge range of activities, including not just classical music concerts and plays, but also less “elitist” forms of engagement like going to the movies, dancing socially, and even attending sporting events.
We Teach Who We Are: Creativity in the Lives and Practices of Accomplished Teachers
How do exemplary teachers incorporate creativity in their teaching? Through in-depth interviews with National Teacher of the Year award winners, this research aims to better understand their beliefs, interests, and practices involving creative teaching. Results identify key themes of how these teachers approach the creative process, as well as the connection between their personal interests and professional creativity.
Art Making as a Mental Health Recovery Tool for Change and Coping
The intrinsic benefits of art making may be implicated in how and why people with mental illness turn to art therapy to aid their recovery. In this longitudinal multiple case study adult participants (N = 12) with severe and ongoing mental illness were recruited through their involvement in diverse community mental health art therapy programs. An interpretive phenomenological data analysis revealed that participants utilized art making as a change mechanism and coping tool that encouraged development of flexible and adaptable approaches toward overcoming barriers in their recovery process.
Arts Participation among People with Disabilities
Nearly 28 million U.S. adults have some type of disability related to hearing, sight, cognition, walking, and other activities of daily living. The latest NEA research offers the first, nationally representative analysis of arts-participation patterns among people with disabilities.
