Health and cultural policy makers are increasingly recognising resources offered by the arts and creative arts therapies for health. The 'Culture Compass for Europe' - published by the EU Commission in November 2025 - aims to firmly establish culture as a cross-cutting theme in all relevant policy areas, including health, in line with its strategic vision: culture as a determining health factor. It is 'time to act,' said a Europe-wide group of experts in a recent report. Creative arts therapies have long been established as effective for healthcare in clinics and social institutions. In the cultural sector, a numerous range of options covering inclusion, participation, prevention, integration and therapy are available, with specific consideration given to individuals from vulnerable groups and those with special needs.
What specific competencies does music therapy contribute, with its well-founded clinical expertise, and what potential does this offer for healthcare? To what extent and in what ways can the differences between cultural practice interventions and health-promoting cultural work enhance collaborative efforts?
These questions formed the basis for this textbook, which was published following a symposium held by the Freies Musikzentrum München and the German Music Therapy Society in March 2025. The comprehensive presentations, as well as supplementary contributions, provide information on science-based and practice-proven music therapy approaches to prevention and health promotion in education, culture and health in Germany and Europe.
This is accompanied by an appeal to policy makers to implement the findings and recommendations at federal, state and local level. Sufficient framework conditions are needed to realise the potential of music therapy and to harness previously untapped resources cost-effectively for the benefit of society and individual quality of life.