A preliminary investigation of the mental health impact of involvement in a participatory arts program in Canada

Participatory arts programs (PAPs) aim to enhance individual well-being through art, however, few studies have investigated the effects of PAPs in Canada. This study evaluated the mental health effects following participation in Artbeat Studio Inc. in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From 2012-2015, 54 participants attended the 6-month Artbeat Studio Inc. residency, with 52 participants completing follow-up questionnaires. Questionnaire measures assessed mental health symptoms, life satisfaction, and well-being pre- and post-residency. Paired samples t¬-tests examined symptom changes across pre- to post-residency. Mixed-model repeated measures analysis of variance examined the impact of sociodemographic factors on symptom change. After bonferroni correction, significant reductions in somatization (t = 3.39, p = 0.001) and depression symptoms (t = 3.50, p = 0.001), and enhanced mental well-being (t = -4.70, p < 0.001) post-residency were observed. Sociodemographic factors had no influence on the change in symptoms. These findings suggest that Artbeat Studio Inc. may be associated with improvements in mental health. This provides individual, community, and fiscal implications at a time when alternative mental health programming in Canada is imperative.