Editorial: The Psychological and Physiological Benefits of the Arts

The role of the arts in healing has a long history. From the first cave markings and healing performance rituals, the arts have been used to represent, communicate, and elevate human experience. In recognition of the power of the arts to improve wellbeing, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report on the evidence for the arts in improving health and (Fancourt and Finn, 2019). Furthermore, the WHO has officially launched their arts and health program, organizing events, supporting research and raising awareness (Arts and Health). It is therefore not accidental that this Research Topic, that has called for new evidence on the psychological and physiological benefits for the arts, includes a commentary by Christopher Bailey, the lead for arts and health at the WHO. This call for evidence also includes studies on the social impact of the arts on families, neighborhoods and communities including research on implicit bias and the role of the arts in reducing social stigma. The result is a portfolio of evidence on both prevention and treatment, for both individuals and groups, in clinical and community-based settings, and across the lifespan.