Skip to content

New Arts Council research study shows positive effects on happiness & relaxation whilst taking part in the arts

5th March 2015

The impact of arts and culture on wellbeing is an area of increasing importance to us, the arts and culture sector and beyond. This is why the Arts Council commissioned this research study by economists Daniel Fujiwara and George MacKerron, analysing data from Mappiness – an iPhone app that allows users to measure their own wellbeing via their phones. What the report has found is that from the app’s sample of people, arts and culture activities score very highly in terms of both positive effects on happiness and relaxation, above leisure activities like watching TV or drinking alcohol. With people scoring their happiest whilst taking part in theatre, dance and concerts whilst museums and libraries rate most highly for relaxation.

Read the full report on the Arts Council website

Menu