Art is powerful, fun and has demonstrable health benefits including anxiety reduction and mood enhancement! It actually has mainstream professional standing as a tool with recognised health benefits. For instance it has been used in the rehabilitation of British soldiers returning from combat duty with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Prominent artist Ben Quilty’s paintings of returning Afghanistan veterans has been found to be therapeutic and remediating, albeit unintended.

The Professional Association of Arts Therapy describes art therapy as ‘a form of psychotherapy utilising creative modalities, including visual art-making, drama, and dance/movement, within a therapeutic relationship to improve and inform physical, mental and emotional well-being.’

Bourke street stairs, Southern Cross Station, MelbournSo its really no surprise that Art, both in passive and interactive form, has workplace health and productivity benefits. In addition to being used as health therapy, Arts therapies are used in conflict resolution, to support the development of interpersonal skills, manage behaviour, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and achieve insight. This is an illuminating list of emotional and behavioural needs, as it describes many of the most significant daily challenges we have individually and collectively in the workplace today. Zest Artists are increasingly being used by small businesses, corporations and government agencies alike to enhance their businesses and lift workplace participation.

Health organisations have used art as a catalyst for community behavioural change. Put A Spring In Your Step – an initiative by City of Melbourne and the Heart Foundation influenced thousands of people in Melbourne to do a little extra exercise by walking the stairs at Southern Cross Station. Zest’s remarkable team of artists, lead by Jenny McCracken, painted 185 square meters of inspiration across 42 stairs. Zest’s Andi Mether Project Managed the public artwork.

Jenny and the Field of Dreams groupIn the Not for Profit and Corporate world it’s used to increase productivity and activate participation in business meetings, conferences and events through the use of real-time art to develop Visual Minutes and Mind Maps. Other applications include the Impact Communications Field of Dreams project where art was used to stimulate staff members to visualise their aspirations and dreams, with immediate impacts of morale and productivity.

Can you visualise the application of art to bring hard business benefits to your organisation?

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