This guide is for commissioners of health and wellbeing who may not, as yet, have partnered with arts and cultural organisations. It endorses early involvement of the arts and cultural sector in planning and commissioning of services, to enable fresh thinking on new ways of working.

It highlights partnerships between health and wellbeing bodies and the arts and cultural sector which are delivering better outcomes. It illustrates how the creativity of the cultural sector is being used to develop whole person approaches.

It provides practical guidance on commissioning the sector and signposts to more detailed reports from which this advice is drawn. It enables commissioners new to this field to learn from those who are partnering with the arts and cultural sector, and the benefits to be gained. The guide includes case studies demonstrating the arts and cultural sector’s ability to facilitate imaginative expression, physical activity, wellbeing and mental health recovery.

Cultural Commissioning Programme (2017). The art of the possible: A quick guide to commissioning arts and cultural providers for better health and wellbeing. UK:NCVO.