WIREDGOV

The Arts Council will be submitting a response to the Office for National Statistics’ consultation on measuring the nation's well-being. We support the consultation’s recognition of the positive impact and effect that cultural activities can have on people's lives. If you are interested in responding, you can complete the consultation questionnaire here:

Research from the CASE programme demonstrates that culture and sport are important components to increasing an individual’s wellbeing.  In particular, there is emerging evidence of the relationship between arts attendance and wellbeing.

We know that people enjoy the arts, with around three quarters of the adult population engaging in arts activity every year. Our arts debate revealed that many people see the arts as being fundamentally important to their life, helping people understand, interpret and adapt to the world around them.

The arts can also contribute to the wellbeing of communities. They can enable people to engage with their community and help places create a sense of identity.
As the arts are increasingly recognised as achieving extraordinary outcomes across the public sector, we work to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people’s lives.

The deadline for responses to he consultation is 15 April 2010.