Local government programs

The Localities Enhancing Arts Participation (LEAP) program encourages greater social engagement through arts and cultural activities.

The LEAP program is working in conjunction with local government to support new and existing arts and cultural activities. LEAP aims to strengthen and improve the organisations, networks, partnerships, resources, and events that are able to expand participation in – and sustain – arts and cultural activities.

LEAP brings individuals together as a community. It engages individuals and communities who have not previously been involved in arts activities. The program focuses on strengthening arts activities through new and diverse local networks, organisations and partnerships.

Research indicates that increasing participation in this way brings social benefits that improve the health of individual participants. Participation in arts activity can reduce social isolation as well as contribute to lower crime rates, increased employment rates, and enhanced educational performance. This ties in with VicHealth’s social connection strategy, which aims to improve mental health and physical health and wellbeing.

LEAP will assist VicHealth in building the evidence base for the positive effects of arts participation to improve health in the community.