Participation in the arts corresponds to a propensity for civic engagement, higher levels of social tolerance, and engaging more frequently in "other-regarding" behavior.

CITATION: Leroux, K., Bernadska, A. (2014). Impact of the arts on individual contributions to US Civil Society. Journey of Civil Society, 10(2). pp.144-164.

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Participatory community arts activity can promote the social cohesion of a diverse community.

CITATION: Lee, D. (2013). How the Arts Generate Social Capital to foster Intergroup Social Cohesion. The Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society 43(1). pp. 4-17.

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The arts were associated with preserving ethnic and racial diversity in urban neighborhoods, lower rates of social distress, and reduced rates of racial and ethnic harassment.

CITATION: Stern, M. J., & Seifert, S. C. (2013). Cultural Ecology, Neighborhood Vitality, and Social Wellbeing—A Philadelphia Project. Research Report, Social Impact of the Arts Project.

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Twelfth graders who participate in the arts are 40 percent more likely to have friends from different racial groups.

CITATION: Catterall, J. S. (2012). The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies. Research Report# 55. National Endowment for the Arts.  

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Teenage students reported greater understanding of unequal power dynamics, a stronger sense of agency and collective empowerment, and a growing sense of community within their classroom after participating in an applied theatre project.

CITATION: Nelson, B. (2011). “I made myself”: Playmaking as a pedagogy of change with urban youth. Research in Drama Education Journal, 16(20) 1-17.

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Joint music making among 4-year-old children increased subsequent spontaneous cooperative and helpful behavior.

CITATION: Kirschner, S., Tomasello, M. (2010) Joint music making promotes prosocial behavior in 4-year-old children. Evolution and Human Behavior, 31(5). pp. 354-364.

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