The impact of participation in arts and cultural activities on personal wellbeing

Using data from the 2016 and 2021 New Zealand General Social Surveys, this study investigates the impact of arts and cultural (AC) participation on personal well-being. It quantifies in monetary terms the value of such participation to individuals.

While it is not significantly associated with life satisfaction, we find that active AC participation (taking part) is associated with higher eudaimonic well-being (specifically, a greater sense of purpose), which may contribute to greater long-term well-being.

We find that passive AC participation (observing or being audience) is associated with higher life satisfaction and higher short-term well-being, in the form of greater happiness and mental well-being.

We show that an important pathway through which passive AC participation affects life satisfaction is via mental health, by increasing how often one feels calm and peaceful and reducing how often one feels downhearted and depressed.

Using the Wellbeing Valuation approach, we estimate that on average people value passive AC participation at around 6-20% of their income, which is equivalent to $2,800-$9,300 per person per year at the median income level.

DOI - 10.29310/WP.2024.04

Citation

Benison, Thomas, Trinh Le and Arthur Grimes. 2024. “The impact of participation in arts and cultural activities on personal wellbeing". Motu Working Paper 24-04. Motu Economic and Public Policy Research. Wellington, New Zealand.