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Curious about what books are out there in the field of arts in health? Below is a short list of popular and academic books to get you started. These introduce the research, practice, and inspiration for Arts in Health, from authors around the world — from designing interventions to understanding how creativity supports wellbeing. Whether you’re an artist, researcher, healthcare professional, or simply curious about how art and care intersect, these books invite you to explore, learn, and connect. If you have any suggestions for books that should definitely be included, please let us know!
Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health | Daisy Fancourt, 2025
In her latest book Daisy Fancourt, presents the latest scientific evidence on how the arts and creativity contribute to health and wellbeing. It explores how engagement with the arts can support mental and physical health outcomes across different clinical contexts, and highlights global challenges faced by the arts sector. Art Cure invites readers to reconsider the role of the arts, not as a luxury, but as an essential part of individual and societal wellbeing.
I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, Music as Medicine | Daniel J. Levitin, 2024
In I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, neuroscientist and best-selling author Daniel J. Levitin explores the powerful relationship between music and healing, inviting readers to see music not only as art, but also as a form of care. Levitin draws on research from neuroscience and music therapy, arguing for how music can ease suffering, promote recovery, and calm the mind. The book connects scientific findings with stories of the experiences of musicians and patients, illustrating how rhythm and sound support mental and physical health. A fascinating read for anyone interested in the science and art of music as medicine.
Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us | Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross, 2023
Your Brain on Art explores the emerging field of NeuroArts—the study of how the arts and aesthetic experiences can change the body, brain, and behaviour. The authors show how creativity affects our biology and emotions, supporting health, wellbeing, and learning. Through stories from artists and scientists, this book invites readers to see the arts not as a luxury, but as an essential part of being human. Learn more at yourbrainonart.com.
Designing and researching interventions | Daisy Fancourt, 2017
Authored by one of the leading academics in the field, Designing and Researching Interventions provides a great introduction to the history, research, and practice of Arts in Health. Whether you are building an Arts in Health program, developing a research design, or want to understand the meaning of quality in this field, Designing and Researching Interventions will be a useful guide.
Arts, Health and Wellbeing | Edited by Stephen Clift and Theo Stickley, 2008
Arts, Health and Wellbeing, offers many useful descriptions and examples from the field of arts in health. The book covers topics such as arts on prescription and music therapy, for example, exploring their application in both hospital and community settings. If you are a researcher, or a practitioner in the field, or simply looking to learn more about the growing dialogue around arts and health, this book could be a valuable resource.