Research

Arts Health Antigonish! (AHA!) is a not‑for ‑profit community organization whose mandate is to foster creative expression for community health and well‑being (www.artshealthantigonish.org). Over a four ‑year period, AHA! programs have engaged approximately 20 local artists and over 2,000 community members through poetry, visual arts, dance and music, drama, and digital storytelling. As part of an effort to plan sustainable growth, AHA! completed a summary evaluation of six of its major programs. Programs selected for this evaluation had been offered to a specific group of people on an ongoing basis for a minimum of three months, and comparable evaluation data were available. The summary confirmed that participants in all six programs experienced increased social inclusion and meaningful relationships. Marked improvements were noted in health care, living environments, and education outcomes. Many positive outcomes regarding individual development were also identified, such as positive self‑expression, improved self‑confidence, belonging, and empathy. Assessing the impact of broader structural determinants of health remains a challenge. These findings provide direction for future planning, evaluation, and knowledge‑sharing approaches.