I believe investing in the arts delivers social and economic dividends in health, wealth, cohesion and the well-being of a society. One estimate put the contribution of America's creative industries at US$504 billion ($678b) annually. This equates to 3.2 per cent of GDP, well ahead of tourism at 2.8 per cent.
Studies here have found similar results. According to lobby group WeCreate, our creative industries generate billions in GDP and employ more than 100,000 people.
This is backed up by economic consultants Berl which estimates the 2016 New Zealand Festival and Edinburgh Military Tattoo generated more than $100 million for the Wellington economy.
Economic benefits are just part of the story. As part of its advocacy work Creative New Zealand has collated research, mostly international, that supports what many of us already know.
Engagement in the arts improves quality of life, and leads to better educational and vocational outcomes, improved health and well-being, and stronger, more resilient communities.
But that's not all -- by encouraging freedom of expression, the arts help to support a healthy democracy.
Various clinical studies have found engagement in the arts has wide-ranging health and well-being benefits including improved patient recovery and a reduction in anxiety and depression.
Art therapy is a widely used counselling technique for treating a range of mental health issues.
All this was borne out with tangible examples at the recent Arts Access Aotearoa Awards, which celebrate initiatives that provide arts opportunities for people who might normally have none, due for example, to physical disability, mental health issues or because they are in prison.
Christchurch Men's Prison is using art as a therapeutic and rehabilitative tool. The men involved are learning skills, such as problem solving, team work and adaptability, all of which supports their reintegration to the community.
The prison says the response from young men aged between 17 and 20 has been outstanding, with a marked improvement in their motivation and engagement, a greater respect for themselves and others, and pride in the success of their projects.
The arts build social cohesion and community resilience. The likes of interactive public art project Gap Filler has been hugely successful in giving Christchurch residents a sense of community while providing a welcome diversion from the day-to-day difficulties of living in the earthquake-damaged city.
In the UK, Arts Council England is making a strong case for the value of the arts. In a recent address to Creative New Zealand's annual hui, Nui te Korero, its Director of Diversity Abid Hussain outlined a vision for the arts as a forum which valued and celebrated difference as much as what is held in common.
The arts give people a voice, an opportunity to talk about the things they fear as well as to challenge, provoke and question. In a polarised society it is one of the few platforms where people can genuinely access a different point of view.
In New Zealand we have much to be positive about. We value the arts and recognise their power. Creative New Zealand's most recent New Zealanders and the Arts survey found nearly 90 per cent of Kiwis think the arts are good for us, 86 per cent learn about other cultures through the arts, and more than 80 per cent think the arts help improve society.
We have an opportunity to collectively use the arts to promote understanding and tolerance as an antidote to division.
• Michael Moynahan is chair of the Arts Council, the governing body of Creative New Zealand.
