Intersection between art and health evolution

This chapter seeks to conceptualize the utilization of artistic engagement in health as part of a compounding prevention–intervention–maintenance process for building health, and describe how this space is evolving within the wider field of leisure and health. We utilize our experience as practitioners within community and health settings and our academic backgrounds to unpack a cultural lens to the interactions between art and health. We begin at the baseline of defining art and its connection to health, outline the cultural differences between the two and propose a definition of health that takes account of the broader perspective within our environments before exploring the connections within the spectrum of arts and health. We make no claim that we will cover all elements in this broad, evolving arena. What we hope is to facilitate discussion about how developing and understanding the interactions and impacts of arts and health can be instrumental towards legislative systematic and systemic changes for health in Australia and New Zealand. Case studies are presented as an illustrative view on the use of art in the community.