When Was Arts in Health?: A History of the Present

The book "Creative Health" critically examines the field of Arts in Health in the context of the recent public health crisis and culture wars, highlighting the transformative power of the arts in promoting well-being and addressing social and health inequalities. It challenges the notion of Arts in Health as a (multi)national phenomenon and reveals hidden, mutable arts-health expressions produced by political economies and oppositional social movements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 153 pages
Publication date: 06 January 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This book offers a critical evaluation of the field of Arts in Health in the context of the recent public health crisis and the so-called culture wars. In Britain, a new term, "creative health," was coined in 2017 to describe this area of work. However, author Williams presents this assertion against a more somber backdrop of austerity, rising inequality, and "Covid-nationalism." The book explores the understanding of Arts in Health as a (multi)national phenomenon through contested narratives surrounding its origin.

Using genealogical methods, Williams demonstrates how Arts in Health is presented as an idea that transcends geographical and temporal boundaries at the supra, national, and local policy levels. However, the book challenges this premise by examining the post-war decades to uncover hidden and mutable expressions of arts-health. It concludes that these expressions are not solely produced by political economies but also by oppositional social movements.

The book provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between the Arts, health, and politics, and its implications for promoting well-being and social justice. It sheds light on the ways in which artistic practices can be used as tools for addressing health inequalities, promoting social inclusion, and challenging dominant narratives. It also highlights the challenges and complexities involved in integrating Arts in Health into healthcare systems and policy.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of Arts, health, and society, as well as for policymakers and practitioners working in this field. It offers a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the current state of Arts in Health and provides valuable insights into the potential for its growth and development in the future.

Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811936166
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022