Arts on Prescription has now become part of the public discussion in Estonia. At the 2026 Opinion Festival in Paide, the Estonian Coalition for Mental Health and Well-being VATEK invited representatives from healthcare, public health, culture, local government and policymaking to explore what the approach could look like in the Estonian context.

The panel brought together Ülla-Karin Nurm, EUSBSR Policy Area Health Coordinator, representing the NDPHS Secretariat as lead partner of the BSR Mental Health Platform; Vanda Kristjan, general practitioner, board member of the Estonian Society of Family Doctors and head of its mental health working group; Liina Lepik, curator of education programmes at Kumu Art Museum; Tiina Tõemets, public health adviser at the Association of Local Authorities of Harju County; and Mihkel Lees, Member of the Estonian Parliament and of Tartu City Council. The discussion was moderated by Martin Junna.

Together, they explored how cultural and community activities could support people experiencing loneliness or mild to moderate mental health difficulties. The conversation focused on both the potential benefits of Arts on Prescription and the cooperation needed to make it meaningful, accessible and sustainable. Arts on Prescription complements, rather than replaces, needs-based treatment and other professional support.

Culture as a place for connection

Ülla-Karin Nurm introduced the Arts on Prescription model tested in the Baltic Sea Region, where people have participated in a variety of creative activities in small groups. Participants have described improved mood and self-esteem, new social connections and reduced loneliness. What matters is not the artistic result, but the opportunity to participate, express oneself and spend time with others in a safe environment.

Liina Lepik shared the example of Taaskohtumised, Kumu Art Museum’s dementia-friendly programme. It gives people living with dementia and their loved ones an opportunity to spend meaningful time together, communicate and create new positive memories. The example showed how cultural institutions can become welcoming places for connection and participation.

The discussion also highlighted the wider value of Arts on Prescription for communities. Accessible cultural and creative activities can strengthen social connections and offer support close to where people live. At the same time, suitable opportunities need to remain available beyond the lifetime of individual projects.

The audience brought practical questions

Questions from the audience helped bring the discussion closer to everyday life. How can Arts on Prescription be presented so that it feels like meaningful support rather than a secondary suggestion? What preparation do facilitators need, and how can the quality and safety of activities be ensured?

The discussion highlighted that meaningful support may require someone who helps the person find a suitable activity, take the first step and later reflect on how it went. Participation should be voluntary and based on the person’s interests and needs.

The panellists also emphasised that facilitators need relevant training and awareness to create a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment. The focus should be on participation, self-expression and being together, rather than artistic achievement.

Participants asked what Arts on Prescription could look like in smaller communities without large museums or a wide range of activities. Libraries, local museums, existing hobby groups and cooperation between neighbouring municipalities were highlighted as possible resources. Audience members also shared personal experiences of how dance and other creative activities had helped them through emotionally difficult periods.

Estonia is not starting from scratch

Estonia already has much to build on: libraries, cultural centres, museums, dance studios, hobby groups and active communities. The discussion nevertheless left several important questions open.

Would Arts on Prescription require dedicated programmes, or could it make better use of activities that already exist? Who should help people find the right opportunity and support them in getting started? How can access be ensured in smaller communities? How should responsibility be shared between healthcare, local authorities, cultural institutions and community organisations? Sustainable funding and the continuity of activities also require further consideration.

The task may therefore be less about creating an entirely new system and more about finding better ways to connect existing opportunities around people’s individual needs.

The discussion in Paide was itself a positive example of cross-sector cooperation. It showed that interest and willingness to work together already exist. There is now good reason to continue the conversation and jointly explore an approach that fits the Estonian context.

Further reading:

AoP Guide aop.ndphs.org

Interreg project page https://interreg-baltic.eu/project/arts-on-prescription/