Arts participation unites generations, reduces fear, and empowers citizens.
Arts participation has a positive effect on social cohesion by bringing generations together, encouraging partnerships and intercultural understanding, reducing fear of crime, and fostering organizational skills. People report feeling more in control of their lives and more activated as citizens.
Young arts participants are 2x as likely to plan to register to vote.
Young people engaged in participatory arts are highly motivated to vote. A study of young artists found that 84% of participants were likely or very likely to vote when eligible/in the next election, compared to just 44% of 18-24 year old who voted in the previous election.
Groups built around cultural experiences score highest on trust and tolerance.
Research into how different formations of people in associations work reveals that cultural groups scored highest on trust and second-highest on optimism and tolerance.
The arts bridge language barriers and unite disparate groups.
Children from immigrant and resident populations cohere best when barriers around language come down. Research shows that art making provides a common bridge and increases friendship, empathy, and mutual trust.