Turku 2011 Foundation

Turku was the first European Capital of Culture to highlight links between art and health. Well-being was at the heart of Turku's year as European Capital of Culture. Health, science and culture were intertwined during the title year with elderly people encouraged to participate in cultural activities, accessibility improved and shows focused on healthy living. In an innovative strategy, doctors were given the licence to hand out 'cultural prescriptions' as part of their treatment of patients.
According to the Capital's programme publication, culture is an important part of the activities promoting well-being and health. Turku has been a forerunner in research on the health benefits of physical activity as well as in the implementation of the results. Turku also wants to lead the way as a city that promotes the health effects of culture. Well-being and quality of life form one of the three strategic areas of focus for the City of Turku. Promotion of the health of the local residents is one of the critical success factors in implementing this. The activities must primarily focus on the preventive activities rather than treating the problems that appear.

Although the health benefits achieved through culture can only be seen over time and pointing out causality is difficult, investing in cultural services is an economical way of promoting well-being. As the Capital of Culture, Turku coordinates an extensive project unit combining the arts, culture and well-being including research, international cooperation, learning from European experiences, the development of applied practical projects and services as well as distributing new information and experiences. Turku belongs to the European Healthy Cities Network of the World Health Organisation in which well-being is seen as a central part of the development of cities.

Culture does Good is the motto for Turku 2011, describing activities during the Capital of Culture year as well as the programme as a whole. The Turku 2011 Wellbeing Programme encapsulated the beneficial impacts of the Capital of Culture year’s productions for individuals and communities. The Programme described the way in which the Capital of Culture year was integrated into the daily lives of residents and visitors, so it has an impact even beyond the year 2011. The Turku 2011 Wellbeing Programme was implemented in extensive regional, national and international cooperation. The network of participants included public sector representatives, organisations of artists, volunteers and accessibility, universities, associations and companies.