The National Arts Council (NAC) shares Ms Ong Seok Khim's belief in making art an integral part of people's lives and deepening public appreciation of our artists and their works (Do more to support local artists, Nov 27).

Engaging in cultural and creative activities makes people less lonely, results in better physical and mental health, and leads to a happier and healthier old age, according to a new report produced by independent think tank A New Approach (ANA).

A study closely followed 25 participants of the Art and Dementia program at National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, finding that art helps balance cortisol levels and decrease “sundowning.”

A study published by the World Health Organization, which collected data from 900 different publications over a 19-year span, offers important validation for the arts and new solutions for medical professionals.

Over the past two decades, there has been a major increase in research into the effects of the arts on health and well-being, alongside developments in practice and policy activities in different countries across the WHO European Region and further afield. This report synthesizes the global evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being, with a specific focus on the WHO European Region.

The World Health Organization published its first research report on the links between art, health and wellbeing on November 11, 2019 in Helsinki.