Involvement in the Arts=Healthy Communities
I think most anyone who is involved in the arts already knows this but a recent study done by the National Endowment for the Arts shows that people who participate in the arts are people who help make communities thrive. The study shatters the stereotype that art is an escapist or passive activity, showing instead that it is associated with a range of positive behaviors.
Arts participants volunteer more.
Literary readers and arts participants volunteer at more than twice the rate of those who do not read literature or participate in the arts.
Arts fans are sports fans.
People who attend performing arts attend sporting events at twice the rate of non-attendees, and arts participants are also more likely than non-arts participants to play sports.
(I was actually surprised by this orginally, getting caught up in stereotypes, until I realized that I, after all, am a sport fan and have played sports all my life. Others in my life play sports, enjoy watching sports, AND appreciate art-its not an oxymoron after all)
Arts participants enjoy the great outdoors.
Literary readers and arts participants engage in outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, or canoeing, at double the rate of non-arts participants. They also exercise at nearly twice the rate of non-readers and non-participants.
Unfortunately…
Young adults are less involved in civic life. Over a 20-year period, young adults are reading less literature, attending fewer arts performances, and even listening to less jazz and classical radio.
The study shows that arts participants and readers lead more active lifestyles than commonly is perceived, that they contribute substantial social capital to their communities through high levels of charity works and participation in sports and outdoor activities. Further, the study demonstrates that arts participation can be seen as an indicator of civic and community health. Finally, the study reveals that young adults may be particularly susceptible to giving up both artistic and civic activities.
[First seen on the Council for the Arts Blog -From The Arts and Civic Engagement: Involved in Arts, Involved in Life, study done by National Endowment for the Arts, report found at: shttp://www.arts.gov/news/news06/CivicEngagement.html]
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