Learning from experience: Building the evidence base for arts and health in a community health service

Well-planned and evaluated work that produces measurable repeatable outcomes will add to the evidence base for arts and health. Two participatory artworks were created over consecutive years to promote a welcoming ambience in reception areas on two sites of a community health service (CHS) in Victoria. The model used consultation and achieved maximum participation. A range of evaluation methods allowed for triangulation of the results. In addition to the improved ambience, qualitative thematic analysis identified outcomes for participants in both projects of connectedness, relaxation, reminiscence, enjoyment and beauty. By repeating a successful model and finding similar outcomes, we can develop the evidence base.