FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS "ARTS & HEALTH"?

Arts & Health is a growing international field that embraces many art modalities to promote health and prevent disease in individuals and communities, enhance health service delivery and enrich research inquiry. For an overview of what can be captured by this definition, please refer to the infographic developed by Arts Health Network Canada.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED AN "ARTS & HEALTH" INITIATIVE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SURVEY?

In an effort to manage the scope of this project, please let us know about Arts & Health initiatives that meet the following criteria:

  1. Intentional Relationship between Art & Health - While it is acknowledged that recreational arts practices can positively impact mental and physical health, longevity and civic engagement (etc.), for the purposes of this survey, “Arts & Health” initiatives will refer to practices, programs, events and approaches where there exists an intentional relationship between arts and health, healing or wellbeing.
  2. Initiatives not Individuals – On the Map is interested in specific initiatives and not general information about an individual or organization’s services. While an individual or organization is welcome to submit information on their projects, submissions re: services for hire (etc.) are discouraged.
  3. Time Frame – On the Map will include initiatives that are currently operating, or were operating as recently as September 2012.

Examples that meet the above criteria:

  • An art gallery program for people with dementia & their caregivers that is ongoing.
  • A current research study that invites youth to use photography to explore the concept of risky drinking.
  • A book club that reads and discusses literary works about mental illness that started in July 2012 and wrapped up in July 2013.
  • A music therapy program in a palliative care center that is currently operating.

Examples that do not meet the criteria:

  • A culture-passport program to promote art gallery and museum attendance in a city.
  • A drop-in photography class for teenagers.
  • A book club that reads and discusses popular fiction.
  • A music therapist available for part-time contract work with various populations.
  • A music therapy program in a palliative care center that ended in August 2012.

WHO SHOULD FILL OUT THIS SURVEY?

We are hoping to hear from a variety of artists, practitioners, administrators, educators, researchers and anyone else who leads arts & health activities in BC.

If you are the participant of a really cool initiative that we should know about, perhaps send this survey link to the organizer/leader of the program, and let us know about it so that we can follow up with the initiative leader.

* If you and/or your organization operate more than one arts & health initiative, please make a separate survey response for each project/program.

HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE ME TO FILL OUT?

Approx. 15-20 minutes, depending on how detailed your answers are.

DO I HAVE TO FILL IT OUT ALL AT ONCE?

Nope, you can save your answers and come back to the survey before submitting it.  There is a “Save & Continue Later” button at the bottom of each survey page.

WHO IS BEHIND THIS SURVEY?

Arts Health BC is a non-profit organization, established in 2010, that champions participation and engagement in the arts as a path to improved health, healing and wellbeing for all British Columbians.

On the Map: Arts & Health in BC is led and executed by Arts Health BC staff, with advice and support from an external Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from the arts, health, education, recreation and research sectors.  See the “Project Team/Advisory Committee” tab for more information.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS SURVEY?

The last decade has seen a lot of growth in the Canadian arts & health sector, but despite growing interest and awareness, there remains a lack of comprehensive information on the scope and location of arts & health activities across Canada.  We often hear from people working in the sector that they feel very alone in their work, and unaware of or disconnected from others who might be doing similar work.

To address this information gap and help to connect the dots between the exciting intersections of arts and health within BC, the On The Map: Arts & Health in BC survey is being launched to identify arts & health initiatives in the province within health care, health care professional education, community and research settings .

HOW WILL THIS INFORMATION BE USED?

The On The Map: Arts & Health in BC survey will culminate in a final report indexing the identified initiatives, as well as some aggregate information on the arts & health sector in BC.  The report will be distributed widely and made available on the Arts Health BC website.  Initiative descriptions will also be posted to the website of Arts Health BC's national affiliate organization, Arts Health Network Canada.

Survey findings will also be used by Arts Health BC to:

  • Raise awareness about arts & health initiatives in BC among the public, different levels of government, health professionals, individuals involved in the arts, funders, and other health and wellness service providers; promoting awareness of the role arts and creativity play in enhancing quality of life, health and wellness.
  • Broker cross-sector relationships/partnerships in the arts, culture, design, health, recreation and wellness sectors.

It is hoped that the report will also be used by other stakeholders to foster relationships, initiate networking and resource sharing between various organizations, practitioners, artists, researchers and educators with a shared passion for arts & health.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

By participating in this survey you are contributing to the growth and validation of the arts and health sector in BC = warm fuzzies & good karma for you!

Further, responding to the survey will also ensure that your work is “on the map” and accessible to others in the province who may be interested in partnerships, networking or resource sharing.  Arts Health BC will be promoting and disseminating the final report widely, so it’s a great chance to bring awareness to your initiative.   Initiative profiles will also be featured on Arts Health BC’s website, promoted via Arts Health Network Canada’s social media channels, and posted on the Arts Health Network Canada website, providing you with (albeit small) but free online presence.   Lastly, your initiative may be selected to be featured in a short video about the On The Map project, that will be used by Arts Health BC and Arts Health Network Canada to raise awareness of the valuable intersections between arts and health.

PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY

Arts Health BC has used Fluid Surveys to ensure that all data collected will be securely stored on Canadian servers. However, please note that unless otherwise indicated in question descriptions, all information provided in response to survey questions may appear in the final report or on the Arts Health BC or Arts Health Network Canada websites.  Some information will be reported in aggregate only, as specified in survey question descriptions.

IP Addresses will not be collected.