The science behind using the arts to combat loneliness and social isolation

A new program in Charlotte, North Carolina, is utilizing the arts to address loneliness and social isolation. The initiative, known as Art on Prescription, requires a prescription from a doctor instead of a traditional medicinal one. Alisha Bigby, a participant in the program, had been traumatized by family tragedy, isolating herself at home following the deaths of four family members within three weeks.

After being prescribed art through the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art's Art on Prescription program, Bigby began attending performances, creating art, and engaging with others, eventually forming friendships.

Todd Smith, the Executive Director of The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, runs the program that provides a year's worth of arts programming for free to those under the care of a doctor. Smith explained that the museum encourages participants to discuss their experiences with the art, fostering connections and combating loneliness. The program has seen 80 participants engage in activities such as attending ballets, theater performances, taking art-making classes, and visiting the museum.

Julia Hotz, an author of The Connection Cure, which explores the prescriptive power of movement, nature, art, service, and belonging, described how social prescribing got its start in the UK. Doctors recognized that loneliness is a significant social determinant of health, leading to increased emergency room visits and healthcare usage. Social prescribing has proven effective in reducing patients' health issues, improving their mood, and reducing loneliness, while also decreasing healthcare costs.

Many Americans, particularly those affected by the loneliness epidemic exacerbated by the pandemic and remote work, can benefit from social prescribing. In Charlotte, Todd Smith emphasized the city's rapid growth and the importance of fostering community connections for all age groups. Julie Wohrer, another participant in the program, had moved to Charlotte during the pandemic and struggled to meet new people after losing her job. The Art on Prescription program has helped her reconnect with others and rebuild her social life.