儘管社會工作概論教科書經常界定社會工作是科學也是藝術，但藝術並沒有反映在知識理論建構、實務方法，以及社會工作教育層面。藝術的本質與功能，例如：喚起人類深層的愛與情感、引人勇敢面對真實自我、批判性思考，以及使人平靜與快樂等，皆呼應社會工作價值與目標。社會工作實務本身是一種藝術，乃因社會工作服務對象與情境個別性，社會工作者的工作就像藝術家一樣需要有某種程度的創新途徑，才能有效因應問題情境。社會工作需要能觸動人心、喚起情感，才能引發個體與社會的改變動力。社會工作依賴社會工作者本身的自知之明和個人風格，以及強調表達、溝通與服務對象之間的關係，這些特質清楚說明社會工作實務本身的藝術性。本研究結論指出，藝術訓練對於社會工作者有重要的價值與功能，研究者呼籲社會工作專業能重視藝術涵養教育，落實服務藝術化。

Though introductory social work textbooks commonly define social work as an art as well as a science, the artistic side receives little attention today in social work theory, method, or education. The author found the essence and function of art echo social work values and goals, such as evoking deeper human love and feelings, facing up to the real self and leading an authentic life, critical thinking and making individuals peaceful and happy. Also, the practice of social work is very much an art in the sense that each problem situation it undertakes to remedy is invariably unique and one-of-a-kind. To be effective in dealing with unforeseen problems that arise on the job, a social worker must to some extent take the same creative approach the artist does in approaching each new work of art. The solution needs to be beautiful, in the sense that it is felt by everyone involved to be right and to be fitting. The primary resource for success needs to be the ability of the individual social worker to respond from her deepest, most authentic self in a way, and with a degree of self-knowledge, that engages and draws into play the same in the client. Examining these and other similarities between art and social work, this paper concludes by listing various ways in which it would benefit social workers if their education placed more stress on the artistic side of their profession.