The Jameel Arts & Health Lab, in partnership with the World Health Organization, has launched a photo essay at the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh, highlighting the transformative role of the arts in supporting health and wellbeing, particularly in underserved communities. The exhibition, running until Oct. 30, is the first installment of a broader academic series set to be published in early 2026, building on previous research that underscores the impact of creative interventions on health across all ages.

Featured images in the essay showcase diverse projects, such as clowning workshops for refugees in Turkiye, blood donation drives in French museums, breakdance programs for children in Gaza, dance therapy for people with Parkinson's disease in Dubai, and initiatives fulfilling the final wishes of the terminally ill in the Netherlands. Other projects include singing programs for mothers experiencing postpartum depression in Romania and large-scale art installations in a California prison, each demonstrating how artistic engagement can foster emotional relief, social connection, and improved wellbeing.

The series aims to bridge the gap between the arts and health sectors by creating a common language for collaboration, illustrating how creative practices can address mental health challenges, reduce stress, and offer hope in difficult circumstances. Through these powerful visual stories, the exhibition advocates for a broader recognition of the arts as an essential component of health and healing.