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6.0 Conclusion
from The Role of Arts & Culture in Lifting Communities Out of Poverty, A Review of Evidence
by ccse_uws
Arguably, social prescribing functions at the intersection between material poverty and some of its psycho-social effects – particularly when these manifest as pain and other ‘medical’ symptoms. Assisting people in the management of the issues for which they have consulted with their GP may then have a direct bearing on aspects of their experience of material poverty though it is unlikely to improve their financial situation per se.26
A growing body of research links involvement in arts and cultural activity and improved accumulation of social capital27 at individual and community levels (see, for example, Gould, 2001; Foley et al, 2007; Flinn & McPherson, 2007; Bungay & Clift, 2010:281-282). Though Campbell et al (2015:44) point out that there is little robust qualitative evaluation of these benefits. Some studies do evidence a link between cultural participation as a gateway for community involvement, skill acquisition and personal development and the accrual of social capital (Foley et al, 2007: 18; also see Gould, 2001:96-70). In this way, it has been increasingly recognised that where, before, culture and the arts have been seen as peripheral contributors to processes of renewal and regeneration, the opportunity for art and culture to fulfil a central role in such processes is advocated (i.e. Foley et al, 2007:3).
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CWLC propose that it is important to explore ways in which social capital might be more equitably shared/moved between communities; making grants conditional upon volunteers from more affluent areas involving themselves in projects in less well-off areas, potentially leading to two-way exchanges of skills and knowledge (CWLC, 2019:15). Create Scotland has developed a toolkit for equalities, diversity and inclusion with the addition of social and economic deprivation as a characteristic (Creative Scotland, 2019; also see Deverell, N.D.) thus, providing a framework to lessen some of the most exclusory effects of material poverty and access to arts and culture.
Photo: Willie Kay (illustration Katie Chappell).
26 Though Husk et al (2020:310) point out that social prescribing/referral may comprise financial advice where appropriate. 27 Defined as ‘the wealth of the community measured not only in economic but in human terms’ (Gould, 2001:69).
