According to the researchers, the value of the arts is often measured through an economic lens, such as Return on Investment (ROI). However, there are many types of value the arts bring, and an economic lens alone is not enough to show value particularly when considering social outcomes.

Another major frame of measurement relates to a reliance on audience attendance figures. Favouring audience metrics often means informal, community-based or collaborative activities cannot be accurately measured and are less able to show their value.

A holistic view is required to fully understand the diverse impacts of the arts and new approaches for revitalising arts, culture and creativity. This includes considering how arts and cultural activities provide value in relation to identity and representation, belonging and social inclusion, and wellbeing.

The arts positively contribute to wellbeing for individuals and communities. Key features that support this contribution include:

• coordinated and meaningful collaboration between organisations and agencies;
• authentic engagement with communities;
• arts-led approaches to fostering enduring social change.

There is a need to consider conceptions of wellbeing outside of a Western individualised approach. This includes better understanding value and wellbeing from Māori, First Nations, and Pacific peoples’ worldviews.

Co-ordinated multidisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration between public health, education, human services and arts organisations is needed to understand and progress the link between arts, culture, creativity and wellbeing.

Arts and cultural engagement foster social bonding and bridging that increases connectedness, sense of belonging, self-understanding and sense of identity for individuals and communities.

This connectedness and belonging occurs not only in terms of a shared identity among people, but also in relation to place and time (past and future).

Benefits relating to social inclusion include enhanced social support and improved social behaviours for individuals and communities.

To optimise these benefits, the researchers recommend:

• increasing sustainable funding for arts and culture projects in under-represented communities; 
• building in holistic impact assessments into grant applications and reporting; 
• demonstrating support for community generated responses to the value of the arts and culture in their communities. 

The terms ‘arts’ and ‘culture’ are intrinsically linked and should be presented together as ‘arts and culture’. Especially for Indigenous peoples, the arts are embedded in specific cultural contexts and communities.

The term ‘the arts’ holds connotations that may limit people’s willingness to engage due to perceived barriers of elitism. There is a need to make the arts more inclusive of peoples and practices.

Expanding ‘arts and culture’ to add the notion of ‘creativity’ (‘arts, culture, creativity’) allows for the inclusion of cultural practices that have typically fallen outside of traditional definitions, such as ritual and storytelling. Because ‘creativity’ is thought of as belonging to everybody, it may help to make the arts seem more accessible.  

There is a need to develop impact assessment models and approaches that are people- centred and fit for purpose; place high value on participant experiences; and are understood by participants.

These models should consider data and outcomes beyond audience and economic modelling to build a comprehensive picture of the arts’ transformative impacts for individuals and communities.

Expanding how we approach ‘value’ by considering ‘impacts’ and utilising ‘impact assessment’ will enable greater understanding of social outcomes.    

Impact models are needed that keep people’s experiences as a central focus, are responsive to diverse communities and consider Indigenous worldviews. These models may prioritise relationship building, participation and capacity building.

There is a need for sector-wide capability building on how to track and record impact. This includes training on practical implementation frameworks and how to engage with impact assessment on an ongoing basis.

Such training would help organisations and individuals engage in continuous learning and improvement, while supporting professional development. This would also lead to more detailed and innovative analysis and increased evidence about the impacts of the arts.

‘Creative placemaking’ is a place-based approach to fostering enduring social change by investing in arts and cultural activities in communities that promote wellbeing.  

Adopting a community-based approach may increase public understanding of the value of the arts, local engagement and ownership of projects, social connection within and across communities, and the sustainability of the arts and cultural sectors.