The arts encourage empathy.
Research has shown that exposure to stories of other cultural experiences, such as through literary fiction, significantly increases empathy and the ability to see another person's point of view.
The arts increase a person's desire to participate in improving their community.
Following engagement in the arts, 63% of participants indicated that they had become more aware of, and more interested in remedying, local challenges.
Culture improves immigrants' psychological well-being.
Immigrants who participate in culturally meaningful activities, including their indigenous arts, show improved psychological well-being, enhanced positive emotions and feelings, and deeper social connections with others.
The arts help grapple with complex heritage and history while preserving it.
Artistically preserving heritage can help reconcile difficult history, encourage self-expression, and aid family healing in service to community empowerment and change.