Renée Fleming
WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts and Health
Appointed in May 2023
Every day, advances in neuroscience and clinical research reveal more about the benefits of arts therapies, experiences, and education, with implications for well-being throughout the human life span. We have only just begun to realize and harness the amazing potential of this work, and I look forward to expanding awareness and access as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador.
Renée Fleming, one of the most acclaimed singers of our time, is a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts and Health. Her mesmerizing performances have graced the world’s most significant stages and momentous occasions, while her advocacy for research at the intersection of arts and health brings a unique perspective to global health initiatives.
Ms Fleming has advocated for the healing power of the arts and has worked with healthcare organizations to integrate music and creative arts therapies into patient care. She has also supported research exploring the impact of music and arts interventions on health outcomes, such as reducing anxiety and pain in surgery patients, or addressing the effects of stroke or dementia. Her anthology, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, (release April 2024) is a comprehensive overview of the latest achievements in this field. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards and honours, including the US National Medal of Arts, the Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal, and Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Most recently, she received the 2023 Kennedy Center Honor.
Ms Fleming performed at WHO’s 75th Anniversary Arts and Healing Concert in Geneva in 2023.