Today, museums face the challenge of redefining their social relevance and the role associated with it—and of visibly representing this to the federal, state, and local governments. In addition to the established tasks of collecting, preserving, researching, and communicating, a new dimension of social impact is coming into focus: current research findings and international practical projects show that museum visits not only have a cultural and political impact, but also contribute to the mental and physical health of visitors.1
The social relevance of this topic could hardly be more topical. Around a third of all Germans say they suffer from mental illness, with the proportion among 18- to 24-year-olds exceeding 50%.2 These figures make it clear that mental health has long since become a central issue in our society. This makes it all the more important for the public sector and politicians to develop preventive measures that are low-threshold and widely accessible. This is precisely where museums can make an important contribution.
The idea of the “healing museum” represents a new, expanded perspective on the relevance and role of museum spaces. In such museums, art presentation and interior design fulfill not only aesthetic but also therapeutic functions. Aspects such as mindfulness, deceleration, and social participation are increasingly becoming the focus of the museum experience, alongside the classic cultural-political and educational goals. Today, museums are not only spaces for learning, inspiration, or leisure activities, but also places that strengthen mental and physical health, enable regeneration, and contribute to recovery. A current and outstanding example of this development is the permanent exhibition “The Healing Museum – Mindfulness and Meditation in the Art Space” at the Bode Museum in Berlin. In cooperation with the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, a scientifically supported experimental space has been created there that allows visitors to experience the health benefits of art and mindfulness in a targeted manner. The exhibition combines historical works of art with specific mindfulness exercises: Specially designed meditation rooms and digital offerings, such as audio guides that can be accessed free of charge via smartphone or website, invite visitors to experience the museum as a space for inner reflection. The aim is to make the health effects of art measurable and thus develop new ways in which museums can respond to the psychological needs of their visitors in order to become actors in the social discourse on mental health and quality of life.
Numerous international studies now also show that this potential is real. In 2015, Helen Chatterjee and Paul Camic, professors of psychology and public health at Canterbury Christ Church University, conducted a study examining the potential health and psychological effects of museums and galleries.3 ITheir findings show that museum visits strengthen mental health by reducing stress, promoting social interaction, and building positive emotions such as hope, joy, and self-esteem. The World Health Organization (WHO) also comes to a clear conclusion: the arts play a significant role in preventing disease, promoting mental and physical health, and treating and managing illness across all age and social groups.4
These scientific findings are also relevant for strategic cultural planning. Given the challenges faced by many museums in demonstrating their socio-political role and relevance to politicians and funding bodies, the idea of viewing museums as places of opportunity and as levers for mental health opens up a new dimension of social impact for museums.
actori supports museums, cultural institutions, and public clients in meeting this demand and positioning themselves for the future at the interface of research, practice, and strategy. Our interdisciplinary expertise flows into the development of usage concepts, the support of feasibility studies, and the development of strategies for impact orientation and relevance argumentation with the aim of understanding museums not only as exhibition venues, but also as actors with social impact, health relevance, and future significance—and to communicate this impact convincingly to funding bodies. actori's work is based on the conviction that cultural offerings must not only be preserved and strengthened, but also further developed and expanded.
As a leading strategy consultancy in the fields of culture, education, and entertainment, we know that the success of museums in the future will also be measured by the extent to which they respond to the needs of a changing society and provide answers to questions about quality of life, identity, and mental and physical recovery. Museums are more important than ever for our society—and this is precisely where actori sees a great opportunity for museums (and cultural institutions): to go beyond their traditional cultural policy mandates and make their potential social impact visible and develop it. actori supports museums as a strategic partner in shaping this path—data-driven, interdisciplinary, and with an eye for the essentials: creating spaces that have an impact.
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A contribution from Dr. Clara Teresa Pollak, consultant.