Understanding the Well-Being Potential of Participatory Arts Events for the Over 70s: A Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda

Abstract

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The role of literary festival attendance in generating attendees' health and well-being

“…Thus, this paper agrees with Arcodia and Whitford (2007), Brajša-Žganec et al (2011) and Brownett (2018) in saying that leisure activities, like festivals, promote social well-being and encourage social connections. While Wood et al (2018) argued that adults over 70s perceive a reduction of loneliness and isolation thanks to festival attendance, this paper suggests that festivals might foster social integration and, in turn, reduce loneliness for all adults over 18 years, and not just the over 70s. Festivals are arenas for people to meet, network, chat, laugh and have fun.…”

“…By using the concept of social capital, Brownett (2018) also observed that arts festivals produce social well-being. Similarly, Wood et al (2018), while analysing the social benefits of art events for older adults, claimed that more studies should explore the role of events in decreasing isolation and loneliness. They also argued that, while several scholars investigated personal benefits of music festivals, more studies are needed into other forms of art, such as literature and writing.…”

“…However, they only considered exhibitions, theatre and concerts. Wood et al (2018) investigated the role of participatory arts events in promoting well-being for the over 70s. They argued that arts event attendance reduces the risk of loneliness and isolation, and increases self-esteem and self-worth.…”

“…To date, scholars have mainly focused on the social or psychological well-being outcomes of festivals (Jepson and Stadler, 2017; Wood et al , 2018). This suggests that other dimensions of the well-being outcomes, such as physical and spiritual, need to be further understood.…”

"Events in a Changing World": Introductory Remarks

“…Although the article by Benjamin, Knollenberg, and Chen in this issue remind us of the opportunities that lie ahead for those events operators who engage with consumers in cocreating an event experience, the articles by Kirby and Crabb, Melpignano and Azara, and Pappas are a stark reminder that, in geography, just to cite a few (Lamond & Platt, 2016;Spracklen & Lamond, 2016;Wood, Jepson, & Stadler, 2018). Those accepted articles represent a wide spectrum of research loosely falling within the "umbrella term" of Event studies (Getz, 2012), bringing in evidence of how scholars embedded within distinctive (and perhaps at a glance conflicting) disciplinary discourses can provide new innovative ways of addressing the complexities of event production and consumption encountered today (Michopoulou & Giulianno, 2018;Park & Park, 2016;Ramsbottom, Michopoulou, & Azara, 2018).…”