Roll up! Roll up! This summer, VicHealth invites you to unleash your playfulness and to get tangled up in a web of colour, because it will be good for your health.

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter and Minister for Health The Hon. David Davis have launched VicHealth’s MOTION Program at the children’s playground, Melbourne Museum.

The MOTION Program is about improving people’s health by giving them opportunities to get creative, active and involved in their local community through the arts.

MOTION is the first arts initiative by VicHealth to focus on increasing physical activity and improving mental well-being. The arts have been chosen as the vehicle to address healthy lifestyle choices as they allow people to get physically active in a non-competitive environment.

“Increasing opportunities for social connection is an important part of VicHealth’s work,” VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said.

“I’m proud to announce that VicHealth is supporting seven outstanding projects that explore the health benefits of arts activities and provide new and different ways to get healthy, active and involved.

“We have a great cross-section of the arts represented for this program, each using unique ways of working with different parts of the community both in Melbourne and regional Victoria.”

Victorian Health Minister, David Davis said: “Research shows that getting involved in the arts can benefit people’s mental health and wellbeing, improving confidence, self-worth and providing opportunities for self-expression.

“Promoting physical activity and mental health are priorities for maintaining the health of Victorians in the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. Through MOTION, VicHealth and the Baillieu Government are contributing to the growing body of research evidence exploring the health benefits of arts activities that not only build social connection, but also increase physical activity,” he said.

Read more information about the seven VicHealth MOTION projects and how to get involved at www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/motion

Watch VicHealth’s Video News Release for the MOTION program: http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Publications/Video-Gallery/VicHealth-MOTION-Projects.aspx