Arts on Prescription – NDPHS

Arts on Prescription

Supporting people experiencing stress, anxiety, depression or loneliness through arts and culture

Taking part in arts and cultural activities can offer a space to express ourselves, meet others and build a sense of belonging. Arts on Prescription brings these opportunities into health and social care, supporting people experiencing stress, anxiety, depression or loneliness.

Through a referral, participants join regular group activities that support their mental well-being. The focus is on participation, shared experiences and connection. These activities complement existing care.

From an idea to practical programmes

Between 2023 and 2025, Arts on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region brought together municipalities, cultural organisations, health professionals and researchers to develop an approach adaptable to different communities and health systems.

The approach was tested through 24 pilot programme cycles in Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Poland and Sweden. By spring 2025, 255 people had participated in evaluated pilots. Evaluations found improvements in mental well-being, reduced loneliness and increased self-confidence.

NDPHS’s contribution

NDPHS helped connect the project with public health expertise and cooperation across the Baltic Sea Region. We supported the sharing of results, regional knowledge transfer and the development of recommendations for national support schemes—helping bring practical experience into discussions about future services and policy.

Practical tools for wider use

A key project result is the Arts on Prescription Guide, which supports professionals and public authorities in planning, delivering, evaluating and financing programmes. It brings together practical tools, audiovisual materials and lessons from the pilots.

 

Connecting people with support in their community

Arts on Prescription relies on cooperation between health and social care, cultural organisations and the local community. Each has a role in making participation welcoming and accessible.

  • Health, social care and other community professionals identify people who may benefit and refer them to a local programme.
  • Link workers act as a bridge between participants, referring professionals and cultural organisations. They help people join the programme, maintain contact throughout and offer encouragement and practical support.
  • Artists and cultural facilitators lead the group activities, creating a welcoming space where participants can explore creativity and share experiences.
  • Local cultural institutions and community organisations bring activities closer to people’s everyday lives, offering places to meet, participate and build connections.
  • Municipalities, regional authorities and programme managers help coordinate these partnerships, secure resources and support the long-term continuation of programmes.

Together, these partners connect people with opportunities for creativity, belonging and support within their own communities. The exact roles and arrangements vary according to local needs.

Continuing beyond the project

The project ended in December 2025, but its work continues. Local programmes, professional networks and international cooperation are helping more communities use arts and culture to support mental well-being.

Discover the project page

Collection of outputs:

Arts on Prescription in Denmark: The Funen Model | Stine Keiding

Arts on Prescription in Germany: Lessons from Bremen | Hannah Goebel

Arts on Prescription: A Broader Context | Nils Fietje (WHO Europe)

Arts on Prescription in Latvia: From Pilot to Practice in Cēsis | Inga Surgunte

Arts on Prescription: Estonian Mental Health Strategy | Maris Jõgeva

 

Project related articles:

2026

2025

2024

 

Arts on Prescription receives financial support from the Interreg Baltic Sea Region and is co-funded by the European Union.

  • Full name: Arts on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region
  • Start date: 1 January 2023
  • End date: 31 December 2025
  • Financing agencies: Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021-2027
  • Budget: EUR 3 510 000
  • Lead partner: Odense Municipality (DK)
  • Project partners:
    • Ministry for Health, Women and Consumer Protection of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (DE)
    • Bremer Volkshochschule – Adult Education Centre/Ministry for Culture (DE)
    • University of Southern Denmark (DK)
    • Cesis Municipality (LV)
    • Saldus District Municipality (LV)
    • Westpomeranian Region (PL)
    • Media Dizajn (PL)
    • NDPHS Secretariat (SE)
    • Sunderby Folk High School (SE)
    • Norbotten Region (SE)
    • Turku University of Applied Sciences (FI)
    • Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LI)
"Arts on Prescription" launch press release Arts on Prescription (AoP) Project Glossary (.pdf) Arts on Prescription (AoP) Programme Concept for the Baltic Sea Region (.pdf)
Museum on prescription – Arts on Prescription pilot programme in Latvia (.mp4)