Every euro you invest in art and culture in healthcare yields a return of 3.5 euros. 'This translates into better quality of life, greater job satisfaction for people working in healthcare, and lower costs for health insurers', explains prof. dr. Tineke Abma, who has been endowed professor of Arts & Health for a year now. We spoke to her in the run-up to World Mental Health Day.
Her research focuses on the impact of art, culture and creativity on people's health and well-being. Her mission is to integrate art into prevention, well-being and care. Art is not only beneficial for people who are ill, it can also have a preventive effect.
Healthcare organisation, museum and university
The Arts & Health chair was established through a collaboration between healthcare organisation Cordaan, Museum of the Mind and Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management (ESHPM). 'The beauty of this special Arts & Health chair is that it gives social organisations the opportunity to put a topic they consider important on the scientific agenda.'
As a healthcare organisation, Cordaan recognises specific issues such as loneliness among older people and a lack of inclusion for people with disabilities. They are taking action to address these issues. For example, they collaborate with around 75 cultural institutions and artists. However, such initiatives often only receive recognition once there is scientific evidence that they are effective. Local authorities and health insurers ultimately have to pay for these kinds of initiatives, and they want scientific evidence to justify the expenditure', explains Abma.
Museum of the Mind used to be a traditional museum. Now, the museum focuses on mental health. It is no coincidence that in 2022 they were awarded the European Museum of the Year Award, the most prestigious museum award in Europe. Tineke Abma: 'For example, they share more stories by experts by experience and display outsider art. This is art created by self-taught artists who are uneducated and untrained in the traditional arts and conventions of the art world. Not everyone immediately understands why a museum does this. They are looking for scientific evidence to support these choices.'
Researchers with roots in both worlds
Thanks to the collaboration with Cordaan and Museum van de Geest, the professor has access to two "living labs". 'And the great thing is that the specific wishes and questions from the organisations help determine my research approach.'
'The researchers I hire all have roots in both worlds: art and healthcare. Someone who conducts research into inclusive dance actually conducts her research in a dance-like manner, so through dance. She has a background as a dancer and is also a health scientist. I have also hired someone who studied Applied Theatre and is a social worker. Healthcare is a world of protection, safety and comfort. The art world is about adventure, playfulness and connection. These two worlds do not automatically understand each other. But these researchers know how to deal with that, because they know both worlds.'
Art in healthcare is economically effective
With cutbacks in the arts and culture sector and in healthcare, tensions seem to be mounting for projects in the field of arts and health. Abma remains optimistic: 'Research at Cordaan shows that every euro they invest in art and culture yields no less than 3.5 euros in social returns. It translates into better quality of life, greater job satisfaction for people working in healthcare, and lower costs for health insurers and local authorities. Fostering art in healthcare is very effective from an economic point of view.'
A good example is health insurer De Friesland. They are the first health insurer in the Netherlands to reimburse dance therapy for people with Parkinson's disease. This has also been proven to be effective. People become more flexible in their movements and their speech, and their mood and overall well-being improve. 'My team and I are conducting research with Marc Vlemmix Dance. Marc developed Parkinson's disease at a young age and now has his own dance company at the Luxor Theater in Rotterdam. Our research shows that participants don't feel like patients for a while; they can experience their full identity as human beings again. The body is no longer an enemy and turns out to be capable of much more than they ever expected. By being part of a social group, they feel rooted again, seen and heard; they belong', says Abma.
'Art is still often seen as an unnecessary luxury that can be cut back on in times of austerity, and as something for the elite. That is a misconception. The type of art I am talking about is more about social artistic work. Coming together and working on something creative together is often much more meaningful than the end product.'
Viewing art or practising art yourself; everyone can participate
Are there differences in effectiveness between viewing art and practising art yourself? Abma: 'Participation is a very important factor. Expressing your emotions, stimulating your imagination, connecting with others socially, telling your story; all these things have positive effects. Even more positive than simply "consuming" art by looking at or listening to it. Seventy museums in Tuscany have collaborated with artists to develop dementia-friendly programmes.'
In these programmes, older people look at a work of art together. Which colour do they like? What does the work remind them of? People start talking about their lives and forget about the stress, anxiety and worries in their heads for a while. These older people, who are often quieter and more withdrawn due to their dementia, really come alive in these museums, and that positive mood often lasts for days.
For the professor, it is important that everyone can participate. Art must be inclusive: 'I think it is very important to find out why some people participate in art projects and others do not. My team and I conducted research on this among Surinamese-Hindustani older people, among others. This showed that art is often seen as Western and elitist. So sometimes you have to frame the projects differently. Just say what's going to happen and connect with their world: "We're going to paint with henna, we're going to dance, we're going to play drums". Above all, don't call it an art project, because that puts people off.'
'People with a migrant background consider cultural heritage and their own cultural identity to be very meaningful. They find it valuable to reconnect with their own culture through music or dance and to be able to experience it again. They also want to pass this on to younger generations.'
Personal motivation
Abma: 'I would have liked to go to art school, but I opted for more security and studied nursing. But I found the practical side of the job not quite challenging enough and I eventually went to Erasmus University Rotterdam to study Health Care Policy and Management. So at the same faculty where I have been appointed.'
'As a researcher, I quickly realised that I couldn't understand the experiences of people with mental health issues through verbal communication or rational thinking alone. So I started using other methods, such as drawing and photography. And yes, that worked like a charm. Let people draw, let people choose or take a photo, and you get a completely different and much deeper story. Soon after that, I started working with artists.'
World Mental Health Day
October 10th is World Mental Health Day. In your opinion, what is the importance of days like these? Tineke Abma: 'The whole point of my chair is that we bring together social, societal and health issues. How can the arts and culture contribute to finding new solutions to certain issues?'
'There are many concerns about young people's mental health. They are at a stage where they are beginning to form their identity; they are thinking about who they want to be and what kind of life they see for themselves. To find that out, they need contact with others. On days like these, there is more room to speak out and express yourself about mental health issues. When people are more open about it, it is easier to share something about it yourself. Because let's face it, there is still a big taboo surrounding mental health issues such as depression or anxiety disorders. This day makes it possible to talk about the elephant in the room', concludes the professor.
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For more information, please reach out to Marina van Weele of Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management by calling +31 10 408 9653 or through email.- Related content
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- Prof. dr. Tineke Abma benoemd tot bijzonder hoogleraar Kunst en Zorg
