Utilizing the creative arts as a tool for public health: Bridging cultural communities

Background/Purpose:

In an attempt to identify effective interventions, public health practitioners are often in search of innovative approaches to facilitating change. Research suggests that the creative arts provide a flexible approach to intervention across a variety of topics and contexts. This paper will present findings from a case study undertaken to explore the creative arts as an innovative and theory supported method for intervention to address public health needs.

Methods:

The case study, an arts-based community project aimed at breaking cultural barriers and building community between African-American and Hispanic/Latino youth, was conducted in a rural southeastern community. Project activities occurred over a 6 month period of time. Following the arts-based approach activities, two focus groups were conducted with a total of 15 youth, along with systematic participant observations. Data coding, reduction, and analysis was conducted using Atlas ti. Thematic analysis was guided by public health theory and the Social Ecological Framework. Case study findings were compared and contrasted with the broader field of creative arts research literature.

Results/Implications:

Results provided support to using the visual arts as a tool for promoting healthy behavior in individuals, relationships, and communities. More specifically, relationships between creative arts participation and healthy behavior were identified in the following areas: self-reflection,-expression, and –efficacy; positive risk-taking; learning; social support; and empowerment. These research findings support utilizing the creative arts in the public health field as an innovative approach to prevention and intervention.