Art and Well-Being

Lahti Science Day 2015 Session: Art and Well-Being

Session "Art and Well-Being"

Lahti Science Day, 10.11.2015

Kevin Melchionne

CAN ART MAKE US HAPPY?

Art is commonly thought to promote well-being. However, researchers in art and aesthetics have not considered how art plays this role. In recent years, there has been considerable research in positive psychology, the empirical study of subjective well-being (SWB). This research has generated robust findings on the factors promoting well-being. I also explore the implications – some highly counter-intuitive - of SWB theory for aesthetic theory, cultural policy, and arts education.

Commentators:

Arto Haapala, Sanna Lehtinen, and Kalle Puolakka