title: Evaluation of a community arts installation event in support of public health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study is set in the context of recent arts and health developments. It evaluates the worth for public health of a ten day community arts installation event held in Bristol, England, in support of new immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Action research methods were used by members of a creative writing group to elicit among 434 public visitors their free-text reflections on the project and/or their reactions to the event. Based on the three themes of the event, 'Homes', 'Histories' and 'Hope', three independent researchers coded the material for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants addressed the theme of hope much more frequently than home or histories. Responses to all three themes were mostly positive. What they hoped was principally for opportunities for themselves and others to be able to enjoy life more and in non-material ways. In all, 45% of them expressed appreciation for the event helping to raise awareness and understanding of the roles of arts and culture in the community.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite its methodological limitations, the study identified non-material ways individuals can be enabled to feel better supported in society and more positive in their outlooks. From the findings, to help strengthen social capital, community cohesion and constructive citizenship, the outline of a proposed educational tool is presented.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health in Employment and the Environment, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, BS2 8HW, UK.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Philipp
authors.affiliation: The Writing Edge, Bristol, UK www.thewritingedge.com.
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health in Employment and the Environment, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK pam.thorne@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thorne
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health in Employment and the Environment, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, BS2 8HW, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wiltshire
authors.affiliation: Pierian Centre, 27 Portland Square, Bristol, BS2 8SA, UK.
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burrough
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Media, London College of Communication, University of the Arts London, Elephant & Castle, London, SE1 6SB, UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Easterby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003256:Community Participation; D003469:Culture; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health; D012036:Refugees; D006113:United Kingdom; D014956:Writing
keywords: arts; citizenship education; culture; evaluation; heritage; hope; public health