Book Club

Art Cure:
The Science of How the Arts Save Lives

by Daisy Fancourt

Evening Session: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 6 p.m.

Location: Art Research Library, 510 Henry St., Utica, N.Y. 13502

About the Book

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

From cradle to grave, engaging in the arts has remarkable effects on our health and well-being. Music supports the architectural development of children’s brains. Artistic hobbies help our brains to stay resilient against dementia. Dance and magic tricks build new neural pathways for people with brain injuries. Arts and music act just like drugs to decrease depression, stress, and pain, reducing our dependence on medication. Going to live music events, museums, exhibitions, and the theater decreases our risk of future loneliness and frailty. Engaging in the arts improves the functioning of every major organ system in the body, even helping us to live longer.

This isn’t sensationalism, it’s science: the results of decades of studies gathering data from neuroimaging, molecular biomarkers, wearable sensors, cognitive assessments, and electronic health records. From professor Daisy Fancourt, an award-winning scientist and science communicator and director of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre for Arts and Health, this book will fundamentally change the way you value and engage with the arts in your daily life and give you the tools to optimize how, when, and what arts you engage in to achieve your health goals. The arts are not a luxury in our lives. They are essential.

Reserve a Copy

The Mid York Library System has 20 copies available for Book Club members through a local partnering library. To reserve, call the partnering library below (different for each book) and mention the Munson Book Club. You may pick up the book there or request delivery to your home library.

Partnering Library

Dunham Public Library, Whitesboro Public Library

📞 315-736-9734
📍 76 Main St, Whitesboro, NY 13492

Library Location and Directions

The Art Research Library is located on the second floor of the Pratt Munson Academic Building at 510 Henry St., Utica, N.Y. 13502.

Parking Options

• Main Munson parking lot: entrance off State Street
• Parking lot behind the Studio Building: entrance off William Street
• Parking lot behind the Student Life Building: entrance off William Street

On-street parking is also available on Henry Street on the southern side of the street only.

Building Access

• To gain access to the Academic Building, please call Library Services at 315-927-8586.
• The building is handicapped accessible at the north side entrance via a ramp that extends from the east side of the building (closest to State Street). An elevator is located in the center of the building.
• Please note that access to the Academic Building from the parking lot behind the Studio Building is limited to a staircase.