Museum visits and cultural activities generate approximately 8 billion pounds ($10.1 billion) in annual health benefits in the United Kingdom, according to a new report
The Museums Association reported research by Frontier Economics, commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport DCMS, revealed that cultural engagement benefits are worth approximately £1,000 per year for an individual adult.
The research developed 13 separate models to investigate cultural engagement impacts, focusing on benefits for adults who engage with culture every few months or more (e.g., museum visits, gallery trips, concerts).
The methodology used quality-adjusted life-years and wellbeing-adjusted life-years, exploring health/social savings and productivity improvements to monetize the economic value of cultural engagement.
Sarah Karlsberg from Frontier Economics noted that the research shows cultural investment improves health, reduces healthcare costs, and increases productivity.
The study found that regular cultural engagement significantly reduces stress levels and healthcare costs, with adults aged 30-49 accounting for more than 2 billion pounds in mental health benefits alone.
The research is part of DCMS's Cultural and Heritage Capital Programme, which seeks to understand the economic, social, and cultural contributions of cultural sectors. It aims to ensure policy decisions recognize the broader impact of cultural and heritage investments.
The research concludes museums play a crucial role in community health by providing opportunities for social connection and skill development, particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing mental health challenges or social isolation.
According to the International Arts + Mind Lab engaging with art significantly reduces cortisol levels, which is a primary stress hormone.
“These findings quantify what many healthcare professionals have long suspected about the therapeutic value of cultural engagement,” said Dr. Elena Martinez, lead researcher at the International Arts + Mind Lab.
Museums are increasingly incorporating wellness programming. The Brooklyn Museum now offers “Wellness Wednesdays,” combining traditional art viewing with meditation and yoga sessions.
The Royal Ontario Museum offers forest bathing experiences in partnership with local naturalists and wellness experts. Participants embark on guided walks through nearby natural spaces, led by trained guides who invite participants to engage in mindfulness practices such as deep breathing and sensory awareness.
The National Museum of India provides yoga and art therapy workshops to promote holistic wellbeing. Led by experienced instructors and art therapists, these workshops typically begin with gentle yoga exercises and breathing techniques, followed by guided art-making activities inspired by the museum's artifact collection.
Finally, the British Museum provides mindfulness tours led by trained guides who use artworks and artifacts as focal points for mindfulness meditation and reflection. Participants are encouraged to engage their senses and cultivate a deeper connection with the museum's collections.
Image Credit: Alan Cordova, Yoga in the Rotunda, Austin Texas, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
