This guide assembles ideas and case study material which demonstrate connections between community cultural development and government ‘wellbeing’ initiatives in Australia. The research identified a number of policy themes associated with community wellbeing—themes that are currently ‘top of mind’ in many spheres of government. The material is relevant for decision-makers concerned with health and wellbeing, integrated approaches to policy, planning and service delivery, ecologically sustainable development, natural resources management, rural revitalisation, community strengthening, active citizenship and diversity and inclusion.

The research also assembled a range of key case studies which show how participatory arts activities in the community have been applied to these policy themes. This case study material in Art and Wellbeing is certainly not a complete guide to community cultural development and wellbeing activity. For every program or project included, many others could have easily come in alongside. Instead the aim is to explore what could be termed ‘diagnostic’ examples, those case studies best able to demonstrate the viability and potential of community cultural development in achieving and challenging government policy and decision-making.

Mills, D. and Brown, P. (2004). Art and Wellbeing: A guide to the connections between Community Cultural Development and Health, Ecologically Sustainable Development, Public Housing and Place, Rural Revitalisation, Community Strengthening, Active Citizenship, Social Inclusion and Cultural Diversity. Commonwealth of Australia.