Every April, Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month invites us to pause and reflect on the role of creativity in our lives — not just as something beautiful but as something essential. At Aesthetics, we see this month as more than a celebration. It’s a reminder of what we’re working toward every day: making art a deeper part of healthcare and community well-being. Our mission is part of a larger movement that recognizes the positive impact of art, culture, and creativity.
Public Art is on the Rise
According to a recent report by CODAworx, over $4.58 billion was invested globally in public art in 2024, up 4% from 2023. Public art helps shape cities, tell shared stories, and connect people across differences. It draws people in, sparks curiosity, and often becomes the heart of a place. At Aesthetics, we advocate for public art that does more than decorate — we support art that enhances healing spaces, creates meaning, and reflects the communities it lives in.
Public art installations enrich communities and boost tourism, attracting visitors to engage with creative placemaking. Studies show that people are 50% more likely to spend time in spaces incorporating art and design. Public art has been a key driver of urban revitalization, breathing new life into shared environments, making them more vibrant and inviting.
The spaces we move through daily — parks, streets, hospitals, civic buildings — shape how we feel. Creative placemaking is the practice of making these spaces more inviting, human, and engaging through the arts. Our work supports artists in designing environments that encourage people to slow down, interact, and feel a sense of belonging. When art is part of the landscape, people notice — and they stay.
Art’s Role in Health and Healing
Research shows that art in hospitals and clinics helps reduce stress, support emotional well-being, and strengthen a sense of cultural identity for both patients and staff. One powerful example championed by Aesthetics is the Emerald Garden at Stanford Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, created in collaboration with artist Sherry Warner Hunter. This healing space offers relief and joy for young patients and their families who want to get away from the stress and worry of medical visits. The garden is a space for normalcy, play, and connection during difficult times.
The arts also serve as a quiet but powerful form of support. Creative outlets for those navigating illness, trauma, or burnout — including healthcare professionals — offer space for mindfulness, reflection, and joy. We believe access to these experiences shouldn’t be limited to a lucky few. That’s why we’re committed to making art more accessible in places where it can do the most good.
Creative Expression as Healing
Numerous articles emphasize art as a safe outlet for expressing complex emotions and processing trauma. Art and music therapy, in particular, lead this effort. Engaging in artistic activities encourages mindfulness, helping to reduce stress and promote positive physical health. Participating in the arts can boost self-esteem and confidence. It also provides a sense of accomplishment and renewed purpose, reminding us of our own creativity and evoking feelings of recognition and joy. This is the transformative power of art in our lives.
During Art, Culture, and Creativity Month, healthcare organizations emphasize the therapeutic power of the arts:
Reframing the Role of the Arts in Health
At Aesthetics, we believe the arts aren’t optional. They’re not “extra.” They’re a necessary part of building healthier systems, stronger communities, and more compassionate public spaces. We continue to advocate for a world where art is valued not just for what it expresses but for what it makes possible.
Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month isn’t just a time to recognize the arts — it’s a time to recommit to their role in shaping a more connected, resilient, and human world. This work continues beyond April, and we’re proud to be part of a growing movement that treats creativity as a core part of public life.
