Craft & Community Health, Wellbeing, & Vitality

We are excited to share the initial outcomes of this 2023 pilot program with anyone seeking to document the value of craft in community well-being.
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More resources are also available on the UNC Asheville-UNC Gillings Master of Public Health Practice & Research website.
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The initial findings indicate the potential of this work to serve as a region-wide effort to refine the framework, engage other sites, and extend the reach of the measurement toolkit. 

The report illuminates the health advantages of six unique craft projects created by artists. It uncovers emerging themes such as navigating grief, sparking self-awareness and discovery, promoting healing and a sense of belonging, and spotlighting historically marginalized communities.

In addition, Dr. Batada has developed a measurement resource, “How Does Crafting Affect Health? A Resource for Understanding and Measuring the Impact of Crafting on Health” (February 2024). This resource draws on a literature review to provide users with a guide for measuring the impacts of making craft on health.