A hole in the heart: Confronting the drive for evidence-based impact research in arts and health

TLDR

Arts and health research faces challenges such as a focus on evidence of impact, resistance to definitions, disagreement over success metrics, and neglect of practice mechanisms. The authors contend that greater focus on describing, analyzing, and theorizing the practice itself is essential for interpreting and validating impact study findings. They conduct a literature review that highlights emerging themes in community arts and health practice and identifies gaps for future research. They conclude that an interdisciplinary theoretical framework for practice could enhance the field’s academic standing.

Abstract

The field of arts and health, and associated academic discussion, is beset by a number of interlinked challenges which make it vulnerable to academic dismissal or, at best, poor visibility. One of these is a preoccupation with developing an evidence base of impact. This is compounded by resistance to definitions, disagreement over what constitutes appropriate evidence of success, and inadequate consideration of the mechanisms of arts and health practice, as opposed to outcomes. We argue that increased attention should be paid to the description, analysis and theorising of the practice itself as the basis upon which the findings of impact studies can be understood and accepted. A literature review identifies some important emerging themes in community arts and health practice, and some lacunae in need of further investigation. We conclude that an interdisciplinary theoretical framework for the practice could make a valuable contribution to the academic status of the field.