Evaluation of a community arts installation event in support of public health

Abstract

Aims: This study is set in the context of recent arts and health developments. It evaluates the worth for public health of a ten day community arts installation event held in Bristol, England, in support of new immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Methods: Action research methods were used by members of a creative writing group to elicit among 434 public visitors their free-text reflections on the project and/or their reactions to the event. Based on the three themes of the event, ‘Homes’, ‘Histories’ and ‘Hope’, three independent researchers coded the material for analysis. Results: Participants addressed the theme of hope much more frequently than home or histories. Responses to all three themes were mostly positive. What they hoped was principally for opportunities for themselves and others to be able to enjoy life more and in non-material ways. In all, 45% of them expressed appreciation for the event helping to raise awareness and understanding of the roles of arts and culture in the community. Conclusion: Despite its methodological limitations, the study identified non-material ways individuals can be enabled to feel better supported in society and more positive in their outlooks. From the findings, to help strengthen social capital, community cohesion and constructive citizenship, the outline of a proposed educational tool is presented.