Research

This page highlights evidence-based research in New Zealand and internationally about the benefits of the arts and culture on our health and wellbeing. 

• New Zealand
• International

New Zealand

Report demonstrates health and social benefits of creative spaces

A report demonstrating the positive impact of multi-year funding from Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage on community-based creative spaces across Aotearoa shows a dramatic 246% increase in people attending creative spaces. The report, Te kaha o ā tātou mahi | The Power of our work, uses data gathered by Arts Access Aotearoa over the three years and  demonstrates the health and social benefits provided by creative spaces around Aotearoa.

Read the report and the 51 individual impact stories

Wellbeing benefits for teens involved in extracurricular arts, culture and recreation

Research using data from the well-known Growing Up in New Zealand study looks at the wellbeing benefits for 12-year-olds involved in extracurricular arts, culture and recreation. It was released in March 2025 by Auckland University of Technology in partnership with Manatū Taonga. It shows a range of wellbeing benefits, including better outcomes in health, relationships, quality of life, cultural identity and school engagement. The most comprehensive research conducted on this topic, it also shows that participation in ngā toi Māori activities contributes positively to wellbeing across demographics.

Read more about this research

Evidence of live performance’s economic and social value

New research shows that the live performance sector contributed at least $17.3 billion in social and economic value to Aotearoa New Zealand in the 12 months to 30 June 2024. Measuring and Articulating the Value of Live Performance in Aotearoa is a Massey University-led research project that establishes the first national evidence base for the economic and wellbeing contributions of the live performance sector to Aotearoa New Zealand.

You can download a comprehensive report articulating and expanding on these findings, as well as a tool that producers and performers in the live performance sector can use to measure the value of their activities.

Manatū Taonga findings on economic value of the arts and creative sector

New Zealand's arts and creative sector contributed $16.3 billion to New Zealand's GDP, or 4.3% of the total economy, in the year to March 2023. The data shows that the cultural sector's GDP contribution grew by 5.3% over the past year, compared to 2.9% growth for the rest of the economy. In some parts of the sector, GDP growth was even higher – 6.5% for the Māori arts and creative sector and 9.2% for the arts.

Find out more about these economic profiles 

Findings of New Zealanders and the Arts - Ko Aotearoa me ōna Toi

Positive trends are clear in the results of Creative New Zealand’s 2023 research survey New Zealanders and the Arts—Ko Aotearoa me ōna Toi. The survey has been done every three years since 2005, meaning the seventh set of results show trends over time. The 2023 results show New Zealanders’ personal connection with the arts has grown and plays an important role in aiding wellbeing. Further, the arts play a greater role in shaping our national identity. Support for Ngā Toi Māori and Pacific arts is increasing, and the positive attitudes towards the economic benefits of the arts remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. Accessibility is still a barrier that needs to be addressed so that more New Zealanders can participate, attend, and engage with the arts.

Read more about the survey results

Impact of arts programmes in prisons

A literature review, drawing on 22 credible research papers, provides compelling evidence of the value of arts programmes in prisons, says its author, Neil Wallace, Arts in Corrections Advisor Kaiārahi a Toi Ara Poutama, Arts Access Aotearoa. The literature review explores the impact of arts programmes in prisons, drawing on both quantitative and qualitative research in New Zealand and internationally. Read more about the literature review

Download the review

Arts in Corrections literature review (pdf)

Arts in Corrections literature review (Word)

Impact of Toi Ora programme

In 2024, Auckland creative space Toi Ora ran a pilot project with QWB Lab on one of its programmes. QWB Lab measures the value and contributions of arts organisations for society, using a holistic definition of wellbeing.  At the completion of the pilot, Toi Ora says it “uncovered some happy surprises”. For instance, people thought they were coming to improve their creative skills, which they did. But they realised they also improved their social skills and had found a safe place where they felt like they belonged. In terms of data, Toi Ora found that by participating in that specific programme 80% had benefited from socialising with others;  there has been a 48% reduction in anxiety; and a 52% increase in happiness. 25 people were prevented from self-harming.

Read an interview between Susanne Ritzenhoff, Director of Toi Ora, and QWB Lab

Report presents findings on research of New Zealand media 

“Visibility Matters – Kia kitea ngā toi e te marea” is a report on representation in media coverage of arts and culture. Presenting findings from July 2021 to June 2022, this Creative New Zealand report outlines pressing issues on the current landscape for representation, including disabled artists, in national and local coverage. It also discusses the next steps in improving visibility of the arts in the media.

Read the full report

Wellbeing and Arts, Culture and Creativity Report

Creative Waikato Toi Waikato has produced a report about the benefits of the arts to Waikato communities. It identified benefits such as self-expression, connections with like-minded people, and connections with diverse people. You can read the full report, and or the supporting voices report (both pdf documents). 

Report of survey findings

A report, Understanding the Value of Creative Spaces, presents key findings from a survey of creative spaces, intended to provide key decision-makers and agencies with information about the sector to better understand how the sector operates, the services it provides and to whom. Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Associate Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage, Minister for Social Development and Minister for Disability Issues requested that the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the Office for Disability Issues and the Ministry of Social Development, with assistance from Arts Access Aotearoa, undertake a study on creative spaces to provide information about the sector. The report was released on 9 July 2019.

Te Ora Auaha Creative Wellbeing Alliance Aotearoa

Te Ora Auaha is a national network and resource for anyone interested in the contribution of the arts to health and wellbeing. Its vision is of a flourishing Aotearoa New Zealand through the arts, and it aims to connect people working in this diverse and innovative field to grow a thriving community of practice. Its website includes extensive research and resources.

Community Research

Community Research gathers research about New Zealand’s tangata whenua, community and voluntary sectors. Current topics range from advocacy to arts and culture, crime and safety, disability, law and justice, research and evaluation, and Whanau Ora. It aims to provide a hub for iwi and community organisations to share their knowledge and advocates for good practice community research methods. Visit the website

What Works: demonstrating your value 

What Works is a website hosted by Community Research. It’s about helping people, especially smaller community groups, the value of their work by gathering robust data and information to tell a story about what they are doing and the difference it makes.  Visit the website 

Impact of Ōtautahi Creative Spaces

Findings from research demonstrate the “profound” impact of Ōtautahi Creative Spaces’ programmes on artists’ mental health and wellbeing. Analysis of the innovative arts programme by Ihi Research and Development has revealed how it has helped those involved to become more connected and resilient with improved social skills.  Evaluation for Ōtautahi Creative Spaces Trust

Disability access in Aotearoa New Zealand museums

Path to Accessibility: the current state of disability access in Aotearoa New Zealand museums is a dissertation written by Riah King-Wall for Victoria University. How are museums and galleries around New Zealand engaging with communities of people with disabilities, and consulting with representatives from the disability sector and cultural organisations? A nationwide survey of 41 museums and galleries explored various aspects of disability access, including physical ingress, inclusive exhibition design, tailored public programming, digital accessibility, and levels of disability representation in staff and management positions.

Path to Accessibility by Riah King-Wall

International

Australia: Arts and creative industries in health promotion

A review by VicHealth in Australia, based on research from 56 studies and reviews published since 2015, shows that while the arts has a place in the lives of 98% of Australians, most people don’t spend enough time engaging in arts activities to achieve health benefits. It’s also recognised that not everyone has equal opportunity to engage in the arts. The review says that diverse and meaningful strategies are needed to ensure those who face barriers to arts engagement are given equal opportunities to benefit from the arts. Read more

UK: Drumming helps school children with autism

Drumming for 60 minutes a week can benefit children diagnosed with autism and supports learning at school, according to a new scientific study. The project, led by the University of Chichester and University Centre Hartpury in the UK, showed students’ ability to follow their teachers’ instructions improved significantly and enhanced their social interactions between peers and members of school staff. The study reports drumming not only improves dexterity, rhythm and timing for people with autism, it also helps improve concentration and enhances communication with peers. Read more

Report identifies major health role for the arts

A World Health Organisation (WHO) report released in November 2019, has found that the arts can impact people’s mental and physical health. The Health Evidence Network Synthesis Report focuses on global evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and wellbeing, with a specific focus on the WHO European Region. Evidence includes the results of more than 3000 studies, identifying a major role for the arts in the prevention of ill health, promotion of health, and management and treatment of illness across the lifespan. Read the report

Denmark: Culture vitamins to combat depression

Depression affects 300 million people across the globe and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It costs the global economy $1 trillion every year but fewer than half of those affected receive any treatment. Denmark is trying a different approach: People with depression are encouraged to take part in cultural activities. They call it Kulturvitaminer – “culture vitamins” – and it is being trialled in four cities. As well as avoiding drugs and their side-effects, Kulturvitaminer does not require the direct involvement of clinical staff but can be run by trained lay people. It involves getting people together in small groups to experience everything from concerts to communal singing. Read more

UK: Arts’ contribution to health and wellbeing

Arts and Minds, a leading arts and mental health charity in the UK, has been running weekly art workshops for people experiencing depression, stress or anxiety for the past seven years. Led by an artist and counsellor, its Arts on Prescription project offers a chance to work with a range of materials and techniques. An evaluation revealed a 71% decrease in feelings of anxiety and a 73% fall in depression; 76% of participants said their wellbeing increased and 69% felt more socially included. Read The Guardian article

UK: Even minimal creative activity boosts wellbeing, research finds

Research commissioned by BBC Arts has shown that even spending short periods of time doing something creative helps people's mental wellbeing. Benefits include helping people manage stress, face challenges, and find solutions to problems. Read the article 

US: Art and music as therapy calms traumatised teens

Music and art are being used as a form of therapy for teens who have faced various forms of trauma, and are proving to be helpful both physically and psychologically. Among other things, they help people to express their feelings, reducing stress. Read the article

UK: The power of music - Vicky McClure's dementia choir

British actress Vicky McClure has put together a choir for people with dementia, in memory of her grandmother who had the condition. There is increasing proof that music can help people with dementia live happy, fulfilling lives, and Vicky McClure's choir has been part of a study run by a professor at University College London into how this works. Read the article

UK: Art courses improve mental wellbeing

Researchers at the University of Gloucestershire have recently evaluated data from nearly 1,300 primary care patients in South West England, finding a course of arts-on-prescription to provide a significant improvement in overall wellbeing, including in those with very complex care needs. UnlArts-on-prescription schemes provide art courses where patients can choose to learn how to draw, paint, create mosaics or write. The courses are led by local artists, and are community-based rather than being based on specific medical needs. Read the article