Relationships Between Arts Participation, Social Cohesion, and Well-Being in 18 US Communities: A New Theory of Change
December 1st, 2025
Jill Sonke, Ji-Hyun Lee, Nicole Morgan, Shanaé Burch, Seher Akram, Cassandra Belden, Gray Davison Carroll, Alexandra K. Rodriguez, Clayton Webb, Derek Li, Katrina Pineda, Christina Eskridge, Mariana Occhiuzzi, Virginia Pesata, Aaron Colverson
This article describes a study of One Nation/One Project, a national post-pandemic arts-and-public-health initiative in the US.
Posted byCherry Ng
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Abstract/Description
This values-based, convergent mixed-methods study found significant associations between arts participation, social cohesion, and well-being and offers a theory of change that illustrates these associations, as well as how arts participation increased social cohesion and enhanced well-being. At a moment when the severities of social divisions and loneliness are increasing in the US, this theory of change may enhance socia cohesion and well-being by encouraging cross-sector collaboration between the arts, public health, and municipal sectors and supporting investment in the arts.
