Over the past two decades, there has been a major increase in research into the effects of the arts on health and well-being. The evidence of culture promoting health and wellbeing is stronger than ever. The importance of culture and its role in keeping people busy, inspired and mentally healthy has proved once again its accuracy during the coronavirus crisis. Many cities have partnered with their local cultural institutions to provide access to cultural contents for free during the crisis, and culture will play a major role in the recovery challenges ahead.
In Finland, culture has found its way to the core of several wellbeing policies both at national and regional levels, making Finland one of the forerunners in Europe in the field of cultural wellbeing. Tampere is one of the most interesting cultural wellbeing ecosystems in Finland. Structures, strategies, knowledge, networks and the high-class know-how of local artists ensure that culture is a vital part of the quality of life for the people of Tampere.
To inspire other European cities about the power of culture on health, well-being and quality of life, Tampere is hosting the Eurocities culture forum. The forum seeks to widen and deepen our understanding of the concept of cultural wellbeing. The programme will present the Finnish context and look in detail into Tampere’s local examples. Together with Eurocities members, we want to learn and discuss how cities can fully benefit from the impacts of culture in increasing the quality of life of cities’ inhabitants.
How does culture help improve health, wellbeing and quality of lives of different categories of the population? How do we measure that impact? How can cities make sure that culture is embedded in health and wellbeing policies at city level?
00:00:00 Hello and welcome to the online culture forum!
00:12:29 The Tampere context
00:35:08 Art is an investment to wellbeing – Dr Pia Houni
01:08:37 Creativity at the service of health and wellbeing in Eurocities members
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