The William Penn Foundation commissioned NORC, a research center at the University of Chicago, to examine recent research on this question. The resulting report identifies, analyzes and synthesizes myriad studies in myriad disciplines from the past 20 years. It classifies the studies in terms of their relative “maturity; it evaluates them in terms of how well they support or refute claims about the benefits of arts participation; and it examines those that address cross-cutting issues and groups, such as older adults. In fact, some of the more “mature” studies are those that focus on how older adults’ participation in dance, music/singing, and visual arts activities affects participants’ perceived quality of life and overall mental health-being.  This is a landmark study in its scope and its depth of analysis. As such, it should be a significant resource for anyone trying to understand what we know – and what we don’t yet know — about the value of arts engagement for older adults.