Can Art Make You Happier?

Say “art” and the first thing that comes to mind is probably fusty old paintings in a museum or perhaps psychedelic modern structures that make you do a double take. The truth is, art doesn’t have to be something abstract or far removed from our lives.

Fam Shu Yong, a freelance actor, says, “People often think art is inaccessible and exclusive to the middle-class bourgeoisie, but that’s not true. Art can and should be enjoyed by the community in a myriad of ways.”

With the recent conclusion of Singapore Art Week, and the advent of other similar events, it bears thinking about the role art plays in our lives. Wyn-Lyn Tan, a local artist whose works are currently being exhibited at The Foster Emporium show in FOST Gallery, says, “Art makes me feel fulfilled and complete. It is an integral part of me that is almost as natural as breathing. I cannot imagine not creating or interacting with art.”

Art and happiness

Of course, it’s not just artists who derive pleasure from art. In a recent “Arts for Ageing Well” survey commissioned by the National Arts Council (NAC), researcher Dr Andy Ho of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) found that seniors who engaged with the arts experienced a greater sense of wellbeing. According to the survey, seniors who dabbled with art were found to have an elevated sense of fulfilment and life meaning, and possessed a healthier state of mind as compared to those who did not participate in the arts.

Beyond enhancing individual wellbeing, art can also improve one’s social wellbeing. When surveyed, 3 in 4 seniors who engaged with the arts said that art provided them with a better understanding of people from different backgrounds and cultures.

One senior citizen who has reaped the benefits of dabbling in the arts is Polly Koh, who recently participated in Let the Harps Sound. This community arts project saw a group of 20 senior citizens banding together to learn how to play the harp. When asked about her experience, Koh says, “Playing the harp together trained me to have a sharper listening ear and helped me understand the importance of unity and coordination.”

She adds, “I sincerely believe music adds colours to life. It helps me age gracefully too!”

How to incorporate art into your life

Another major reason why many people tend to shy away from art is because of the misconception that it’s expensive. That’s not necessarily true, especially with the increasing number of free or affordable arts programmes accessible throughout the year. Apart from Singapore Art Week, NAC also organises a slew of other initiatives, including Arts in Your Neighbourhood, which brings interactive arts programmes to the heartlands; Noise Singapore, which encourages youths to get in touch with their creative side; and Silver Arts, an annual arts festival targeted at senior citizens.

However, engaging with the arts doesn’t even have to involve going to a single exhibition or visiting a single museum. Art can be found in the everyday. Enjoying art can be as simple as admiring the architecture around you, taking in the colours of a wall mural or simply looking at beautiful photography online. The joy of art comes from simply giving your mind the freedom to wander and make new connections.