History of the Arts in Health

An explication of theories about the origin and evolution of the arts for health is presented, acknowledging that these ideas are contested. Ancient Greek theatre is mentioned, followed by a section on art in asylums. The main ways that the arts were conceptualised as therapeutic is summarised, with historical evidence from physicians. The history and development of community arts, in the British context, is presented, including analysis of the foundational ideas for Arts Council, England. Arts in hospitals are then further discussed, highlighting the role of the British Red Cross and the National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (NAPT) in the development of arts for health in the 20th century. Ideas about the expressive potential of the arts are interrogated, illustrating polarised perspectives on expressive art evident at the beginning of the 20th century. A clear link between Surrealism and the formation of a professional arts and health endeavour is shown. Arts-based therapeutic communities and the social psychiatry movement receive brief attention. Withymead is singled out as particularly influential to the British context. Finally, arts on prescription and professional arts therapies are outlined in brief, as well as arts in health promotion and in public health training, as these will receive further attention in the text itself.