Arts on Prescription
The Norwegian Resource Centre for Arts and Health has been awarded funding to introduce and raise awareness of the “Culture on Prescription” concept in Norway.
“Arts on Prescription (AoP) in the Nordic countries” (2024-2025) is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services by the program “Health cooperation in the Barents and the Northern Dimension”. The Norwegian Resource Centre for Arts and Health, Norway (lead partner), NDPHS Secretariat, Sweden and Region Skåne, Sweden.
This initiative, which has shown promising results in several other countries, aims to improve participants’ psychosocial health and well-being through targeted cultural activities for groups.
Positive effects of “Arts on Prescription”
Research shows that “Arts on Prescription” can help improve people’s well-being and psychosocial health, as well as reduce loneliness. At the same time, studies indicate that municipalities, general practitioners, and other local authorities often lack the knowledge needed to develop and refer patients to group activities.
“Norway is late to test out ‘Arts on Prescription’, despite good results in other countries. In this project, we will explore how to develop, adapt, and integrate the concept into the Norwegian healthcare system,” says Marit Stranden, Executive Director of the Norwegian Resource Centre for Arts and Health
Additionally, the plan is to invite stakeholders from Estonia, Lithuania, Iceland, and Greenland—countries that have not yet piloted “Arts on Prescription.”
Countries that have tested the concept will share their experiences with Norway and others just beginning this work, so the concept can be tailored to the local needs of each country.
Important funding for development
The project is supported by the “Health Cooperation in the Barents and Northern Dimension” program within the Ministry of Health and Care Services.
“The project was initiated by the Secretariat of the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being. The Secretariat participates in the project ‘Arts on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region’ and aims to introduce the concept to more European countries,” Stranden explains.
“We are also collaborating with Region Skåne, which has ten years of experience implementing and researching this method,” she adds.
What is “Arts on Prescription”?
“Arts on Prescription” is a health-promoting approach where primary healthcare providers prescribe “cultural prescriptions” to patients, giving them access to cultural activities within their community. This may include arranged visits to concerts, museums, art exhibitions, and theater performances, as well as participation in activities such as choirs, dance, painting, and crafts.
“Research has shown that ‘Arts on Prescription’ can have positive psychosocial effects for people with mental health conditions. Studies have shown significant increases in well-being and health, more social contacts and a greater sense of belonging, structured activities, behavioral activation, and the ability to shift focus from illness to creative well-being,” says researcher Anita Jensen, Health Strategist at Region Skåne and Associate Professor at The Norwegian Resource Centre for Arts and Health.
Studies also suggest that “Arts on Prescription” can improve well-being and reduce loneliness through increased social participation.
Why is this relevant for Norway?
The concept aligns well with the Norwegian Public Health Report (St.m. 15, 2022–2023), which highlights the need to reduce social health inequalities and strengthen mental health. It also complements the evidence-based public mental health campaign ABC for Good Mental Health.
“This project will be an important platform for developing and integrating ‘Arts on Prescription’ into the Norwegian healthcare system,” says Stranden.
“Our goal is to raise awareness of the concept and find municipalities willing to pilot it next year, so general practitioners and healthcare professionals can prescribe cultural group activities as part of healthcare services.”