On June 18, European institutions declared culture to be a strategic priority for the European Union.

On June 18, European institutions declared culture to be a strategic priority for the European Union.

It is now recognised that cultural activities produce tangible and positive psychological, physiological, social and behavioural responses that are good for your health.

It is now recognised that cultural activities produce tangible and positive psychological, physiological, social and behavioural responses that are good for your health.

“Museotherapy”, or museum-based art therapy, is gaining ground, and the first museum visits on prescription have already been issued.

“Museotherapy”, or museum-based art therapy, is gaining ground, and the first museum visits on prescription have already been issued.

On June 18 2026, on the sidelines of the European Council in Brussels, the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of the European Union signed a joint declaration making culture a strategic priority for the first time.

This text, “Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe”, sets out twelve key principles intended to inspire, if not guide, member states’ cultural policies. Among these principles is culture’s impact on health. The Commission explicitly references the conclusions of a report by experts from member states, entitled Culture for Health, which highlights the beneficial effects of culture on health and wellbeing.

Culture is no longer championed merely as heritage – a source of attachment and a sense of belonging for individuals – or as an economic driver within the creative industries. It is becoming a resource for public health and social cohesion.

This shift is part of a wider trend that is inspiring pilot initiatives and policy directions at various levels, by placing a new priority on neuroscience research into how cultural practices affect the brain and wellbeing. The European network Culture Next has, in fact, just published a report, “Culture as Care: Participation, Health and Collective Well-Being in European Cities”, which directly builds on the terms of the declaration.

In the report, culture is described not as a substitute for social, health or educational policies, but as that which fosters care through participation itself – via the meeting places and cultural spaces accommodating mutual recognition and collective action that it makes possible.

The report places particular emphasis on young people, calling for a move beyond an “access” approach (bringing young people to cultural institutions) to recognise the role they already play as........

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