Culture on Prescription: Collaborative Practices in Culture, Health and Technology

Curso de Formação

Ano Letivo 2025/2026

Culture on Prescription constitutes an innovative approach to promoting health and wellbeing, internationally recognised within the fields of Arts in Health and social prescribing. It is based on collaboration between the cultural, health and community sectors, responding to social, cultural and territorial determinants of health. It is grounded in the recognition that health and wellbeing are produced socially and culturally, not merely clinically. It results from the convergence of three scientific fields:

1.1 Arts in Health
The Arts in Health field studies and applies artistic interventions (visual arts, music, dance, theatre, writing, amongst others) to improve mental health, wellbeing, cognition, therapeutic adherence and quality of life. Scientific evidence shows consistent benefits in:
depression and anxiety,
chronic pain,
dementia,
oncology,
professional burnout
(Fancourt & Finn, 2019; WHO, 2019).

1.2 Social Prescribing
Social prescribing is an organisational model that enables health professionals to prescribe community resources (art, culture, volunteering, nature, groups) as part of the therapeutic plan. It is associated with:
reduction in loneliness,
lower use of healthcare services,
greater empowerment and self-care,
improvement in mental wellbeing
(Husk et al., 2020; Bickerdike et al., 2017).

1.3 Technology and relational health
Digital technology enables:
mapping of cultural assets,
referring individuals,
monitoring impact,
integrating clinical and social data
(NHS England, 2022; Fancourt & Steptoe, 2020)

The training is designed for interprofessional learning, promoting a common language between sectors. Furthermore, it integrates Portuguese implementation experiences (namely the pilot project in Alentejo Central and the academic initiative at the University of Porto) and international references in Arts in Health, incorporating artistic practices as tools for learning, critical reflection and project development.

This course is offered in partnership with CIMAC ? Intermunicipal Community of Central Alentejo and ULSAC ? Local Health Unit of Central Alentejo.