An investigation of the impact of encounters with artistic imagination on well-being

Evidence about the impact of art on well-being is confined to studies of participatory arts and receptive arts that involve attending cultural events. This investigation examined the impact of art on well-being by framing people’s engagement with art as encounters with artistic imagination. These encounters include traditional forms of cultural activity, such as a gallery or theater visit, but also encompass everyday activities, such as watching a screen drama or reading fiction. Three studies examined how such encounters affect emotional well-being, life satisfaction, meaning in life, and mental well-being. A survey study (N = 544) found that participants on average spent over 4 hr engaged with art the previous day. This study and an experience-sampling study (N = 50), in which participants completed a questionnaire via their smartphones twice daily for 10 days (854 responses), revealed that individuals’ variety of encounters with art and accompanying elevating emotional experiences were associated with well-being. Live arts engagement was positively associated with all aspects of well-being, and visual and literary arts with greater meaning in life, whereas screen arts, audio arts, and sports spectating (for comparison) were not positively associated. A third study using (live) arts attendance and well-being data (n = 27,918) from 2 waves (3-year interval) of a large longitudinal panel survey showed that frequency of attendance predicted subsequent well-being, whereas arts participation did not. Overall, the evidence indicates that encounters with artistic imagination contribute to people’s well-being, with effects varying according to the art form and the type of well-being assessed.