Art Cure: The science of how the arts transform our health

A groundbreaking exposé showing how the arts – alongside diet, sleep, exercise and nature – are the forgotten fifth pillar of health

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UK: Penguin                                                US: MacMillan

             

On this page you can find:

ABOUT THE BOOK

RECOGNITION

EVENTS

REVIEWS

WATCH, READ, LISTEN

ENDORSEMENTS

Recognition

Art Cure is a Sunday Times Bestseller, an Amazon Best Seller and has been selected as Waterstones’ Top Non-Fiction Pick and the Bookseller’s Non-Fiction Book of the Month. It was recently announced to be on the Longlist for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.

It has also been featured in: The Guardian’s “Ones to Watch”; Blackwell’s books of 2026; Waterstones‘ January best books round up; Foyles’ top ten reads for January; The i Paper’s best new books to read in January 2026; the Independent’s books predicting the need-to-know health trends of 2026; New Scientist’s best new popular science books of January 2026; The Times’ January new book highlights; Oprah Daily’s ten books to help you make changes that stick in 2026; Publisher’s Weekly top spring 2026 lifestyle books; The Echo’s new health and wellbeing titles for 2026; Saga Magazine’s books of the month; Winstone’s Books books of the month; Bookshop.org’s highlights; Hive’s top 20 bestselling books; Booka Bookshop’s non-fiction book of the month; The Next Big Idea Club’s February 2026 Must-Read Books; and the Jazz FM book club.

Reviews

Here are some highlights from reviews:

• “Drawing on extensive research, Fancourt makes a clear case for the arts as central to health, much like movement and diet. Accessible and fascinating, the book connects science and everyday experience without overpromising, arguing persuasively for cultural investment.” – The i Paper
• “Art Cure is one of the most con­vin­cing books I’ve read and not just because of Fan­court’s own impress­ive ped­i­gree. She’s also a hugely access­ible writer, mix­ing high-level sci­ence with prac­tical tips and emo­tional case stud­ies” – The Mail on Sunday
• “In Art Cure, award-win­ning sci­ent­ist Pro­fessor Daisy Fan­court reveals the lifechan­ging power of the arts” – Sunday Post
• “What if playing the piano, dancing, visiting art galleries or even lying in the mud listening to Wolf Alice at Glastonbury was good for the body, mind and longevity? Or what if it could help us develop brain resilience against dementia? That’s just part of the tantalising, ambitious pitch by Daisy Fancourt in her new book…A licence to have fun – what’s not to love?” – New Scientist
• “In her debut book, award-winning psychologist and epidemiologist Fancourt makes a strong case for the significance of the arts—“the forgotten fifth pillar of health”—in every aspect of well-being…An inspiring book that’s based on persuasive science.” – Kirkus Reviews
• “From stress reduction to helping our brains to stay resilient against dementia, Professor Daisy Fancourt’s Art Cure is an inspirational and revelatory exploration of the countless and immense positive effects of regular arts engagement both on our mental health and happiness” – Waterstones
• “It is hard to imagine a more comprehensive manifesto than Art Cure for the fact the arts are not a luxury, but a necessity for all of us” – The Bookseller
• “With a grounding in decades of scientific research and covering everything from pop concerts and graffiti to classical music and poetry, this is the inspiration we’ve been waiting for!” – Foyles
• “Turns out going to see a show isn’t just fun, it’s actually good for you. Daisy Fancourt’s new book explains how the arts can not only improve your health but actually prevent illness” – The List
• “We all might think that art is good for us, but now scientists are adding to research that’s making it official. Daisy Fancourt…makes a case for the arts that is anything but subjective. Her new book, Art Cure…assembles a decade of research arguing that cultural engagement produces measurable benefits for physical and mental health.” – Artsy
• “Professor Daisy Fancourt has long been a defining voice in the global arts-and-health field, and her new book Art Cure brings decades of research to a broad public audience.” – Arts Health Network
• “An easily digestible read bridging art and science, this is wonderful for book groups and offers plenty of potential for library programming as well.” – Library Journal
• “A captivating storyteller that draws you in, paints a picture of indisputable statistics, creates a fascinating narrative, splattered with equally heart-wrenching and heart-warming case studies” – Social Prescribing Network
• “Daisy Fancourt…has raised the study of the effects of the arts on health to a level of statistical credibility that might convince even Mark Twain.” – The Art Newspaper
• “Daisy Fancourt’s Art Cure has bestseller potential” – Bea Carvalho, Head of Books, Waterstones
• “If the aim of New Year’s resolutions is to make us fitter, healthier and happier, should we forget abstinence and indulge in the arts? Professor Fancourt makes a persuasive, impassioned, evidence-based case” – Saga Magazine
• “Art Cure compellingly sets out the case that the arts are essential to our wellbeing…Fascinating and eye-opening.” – Sherborne Literary Society
• “What Art Cure ultimately proposes is not that art replaces medicine, but that it complements it in ways today’s healthcare often ignores. Fancourt’s work dismantles the idea that culture is expendable when resources are tight, presenting the arts as low-cost, low-risk, and high-impact tools for prevention, recovery, and resilience.” – designboom
• “If you’ve already abandoned your New Year resolutions, don’t despair – prescribing yourself a dose of art therapy could banish the guilt and set you on course for a thoroughly enriching 2026.” – Offaly Live
• “Art Cure argues that engaging with the arts isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a measurable health intervention.” – Oprah Daily
• “Daisy Fancourt, highlights the successes, gaps, and potential of incorporating the arts into medical care…enough to persuade gainsayers and skeptics on the supporting role the arts can play in medical treatment and healing process.” – Leadership
• “The arguments for the benefits of creativity are well known, and there is a growing body of evidence suggesting the arts impact health and well-being, and have serious educational benefits. But the societal, community and cohesion benefits are perhaps less well understood. However, Daisy Fancourt’s new book Art Cure – The Science of How Arts Transform Health, makes a strong case for both.” – Arts Professional
• “Art Cure is the perfect antidote to the worrying insistence by central and local government that creative pursuits are mere hobbies or luxuries not worthy of investment. Award-winning scientist Daisy Fancourt draws on decades of experiments and reports to demonstrate, in a thoroughly accessible way, how engaging with the arts can make you happier, healthier and more resilient.” – Ireland Live
• “The book includes moving case studies and simple tips to get you singing, dancing, creating and appreciating art at your own pace and ability. You don’t even have to be good to benefit – your body and mind will give you a standing ovation for sticking with it.” – Gazette & Herlald
• “Art Cure can already be called a classic. The book brings together knowledge and facts (I know no better overview of the state of the field), makes interesting policy proposals in the area of healthcare, and is written in an unpretentious, jargon-free language. You don’t need to be a specialist to understand what it’s about. And what it’s about concerns all of us. I cannot recommend highly enough” – Doorbraak
• “In Art Cure, Fancourt makes a compelling case that the arts should be part of the solution to improving human health and well-being. Her approach is highly multidisciplinary, crossing boundaries and providing a holistic approach to improving quality of life at the population level.” – Science Magazine
• “Art Cure is the perfect antidote to the worrying insistence by some politicians that creative pursuits are mere hobbies or luxuries not worthy of investment” – The Scotsman
• “Daisy Fancourt is on a mission to add a fifth element to the recipe for health and happiness- art. Backed by years of scientific study, Daisy’s research reveals the physical and mental healing powers of creativity, and how they can be a brilliant boon to all of us.” – The Simple Things
• “Inspiring…illuminating…intuitively organized and digestible…Art Cure shines a light on how and why we need the arts: “For sickness. For health. For all.”” – BookPage
• “What Fancourt does through meticulous research and many revelatory examples is prove beyond all doubt that the arts are essential to our wellbeing” – Sunday Independent, Ireland
• “Persuasive and uplifting…What makes Art Cure so compelling is the breadth and clarity of its research. Optimistic and revolutionary, Art Cure makes a convincing case that art is not an indulgence but a vital resource.” – Voice Magazine
• “An Overlooked Prescription for Happiness…Fancourt calls engaging in the arts “the forgotten fifth pillar of health,” alongside diet, sleep, exercise and nature. Yet, we have reduced it to a form of entertainment” – New York Times
• “Precisely the nuanced, evidence based, intellectually honest exploration this field desperately needs” – Kathryn Vercillo
• “Highly recommended for readers who value science, creativity, and practical guidance on living healthier, more meaningful lives. Art Cure isn’t just informative; it’s an invitation to reimagine health through the joyful, connective power of the arts” – The American Chronic Pain Association

Endorsements

“Even for those of us who have had a lifetime engagement with the arts, this rigorously researched, scientifically informed book is a revelation. It offers hard evidence of the value of participation in the arts for everyone, moving outwards from the transformative effect they can have on physical and mental health into a host of associated benefits improving and enriching our daily lives, as well as offering practical solutions, pathways and case studies. It could not be more timely, nor make a stronger, more urgent case for placing the arts at the centre of our communities.” – Melvyn Bragg, broadcaster and author

“This is a fucking fantastic book. I love it. Every day we are overwhelmed by advice on how to live better: diets, gadgets, supplements, exercises and a million other things. Daisy’s book is an amazing antidote to the deluge of nonsense. The evidenced based advice is for joyful, meaningful things that will expand our lives and our minds and help us take charge of our health. Everyone should read this book: it is accessible, entertaining but also a great piece of scholarship.” – Xand van Tulleken, doctor and TV presenter

“Imagine a dinner conversation with the smartest, most compassionate person you know, talking until the wee hours on science and beauty, and you will have some idea of what it is like to read this book. Fascinating, comprehensive, compelling, inspiring.” – Christopher Bailey, World Health Organisation

“ART CURE is forceful and eye-opening. Both elevating and practical, it opens new vistas on fantastic scientific discoveries regarding how art affects our bodies, our minds, and even our lifespan.” – Nicholas A. Christakis, scientist, doctor and best-selling author of Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society 

“An important and timely contribution that brings rigorous evidence to how the arts impact our health and wellbeing. A vital resource.” – Susan Magsamen, best-selling co-Author of Your Brain on Art

“Backs up what all artists know to be true — that art is the cure — with deep, verifiable science…in the language of a gifted storyteller. Over and over she makes the science seductive and reminds us that that the arts can touch every aspect of what we long for: to live longer, to feel more connected, to cure disease, to ease pain, even to be sexier. Essential reading.” – Eric Whitacre, Grammy-award winning composer and conductor

“This brilliant book is a turning point. For the first time, we have a clear, passionate and scientific explanation of how and why the arts are vital to our health and wellbeing. It needs to be in the hands of every policy maker and politician, because it is a powerful argument for generous arts funding to ensure every community across the country benefits.” – Madeleine Bunting, award-winning writer, broadcaster and former editor and columnist for The Guardian

“Many of us know firsthand how creativity can transform our wellbeing. Daisy Fancourt’s book delves deeper into this story, revealing how this happens through fascinating insights. Creative health can prevent a whole range of health issues, save the NHS money and change lives for the better, but its potential is currently untapped, so this book is both a vital reminder and call to action!” – Justine Simons, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries

“A book for our times. Art Cure is a compelling reminder that the arts are not luxuries, but powerful tools for our health. Fancourt elegantly distils the evidence for what we have always intuitively felt; that music, literature, cinema, and art are powerful universal remedies. Best of all, she shows us how to utilise the arts to make simple, health-enhancing changes in our own lives. A glorious read.” – Gillian Anderson, Actress

“Art Cure is a visionary exploration of the health impacts of artistic engagement. Reading this compelling work, don’t be surprised if you find yourself dusting off your old guitar, joining a local theatre group, or ordering a set of watercolors (and thanking Art Cure for the motivation!).” – Renée Fleming, Soprano and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts & Health

“I dare you to read Art Cure and not want to sing in a choir, pen a poem, or pick up a paintbrush. Fancourt has dispelled the myth that the arts are a luxury; they are the prescription for a healthier, more meaningful life.” – Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research, Americans for the Arts

“The most brilliant account of the value of the arts to the mental and physical health and wellbeing of our minds and bodies. For too long, the value of the arts to the health and wellbeing of the nation has been undervalued and overlooked. Daisy Fancourt’s book makes it clear they are inseparable.” – Angela Rippon, Broadcaster

“Thoughtful and carefully argued, Art Cure consistently speaks good sense. It offers a comprehensive, reasoned case that will resonate.” – Philippa Perry, psychotherapist and author

“Incredible. I’ve never known a book that speaks to my mind and heart as this one does because it shows how the arts can transform lives and help build a positive future.” – Dame Arlene Phillips, Choreographer

“This wonderful book validates the fact that art must hold the most powerful and transformative place in our society.” – Dame Darcey Bussell, Dancer