Montreal’s Museum Of Fine Arts Has Free Online Art Therapy That You Can Do From Your Couch

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The MMFA is doing its best to keep us occupied during this surreal moment in history. It’s just one of a few institutions in the city that has moved its activities online so that residents can enjoy them from the comfort and safety of their own homes. In addition to free virtual tours, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is now offering at-home art therapy.

Further information here

Book Launch: Art Therapy in Museums and Galleries: Reframing Practice

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On Saturday 29th February 2020, over 70 people attended a sold-out event at the National Gallery in London, to launch edited by Ali Coles and Helen Jury and published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. The audience included museum professionals and arts in health specialists, as well as Art Therapists.

Following a welcome from Anna Murray (Communities and Access Programme Manager at the National Gallery) and Caroline Campbell (Director of Collections and Research), Val Huet (CEO of BAAT) set the context for Art Therapy in museums and galleries. This was followed by four presentations by chapter authors: Helen Jury on Conversations with Rembrandt; Ali Coles on What Do Museums Mean?; Emma Hollamby on Artworks as a Stimulus; and Stephen Legari and colleagues on The Caring Museum. It is hoped that recordings of the presentations can be made available in due course. Nana Zhvitiashvili (Art Psychotherapist), Pippa Beveridge (Artist) and Dr Christina Bradstreet (Adult Learning Programmer, National Gallery) then joined the presenters for a panel discussion, chaired by Val Huet, and the event ended with a drinks reception.

Art Therapy in Museums and Galleries: Reframing Practice / Book Launch

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The book launch for @JKPBooks Art Therapy in Museums and Galleries: Reframing Practice, edited by Helen Jury and Ali Coles taking place on Saturday 29th February 2020 at the National Gallery in London, 2.00pm – 5.30pm, is sold out.
We’ll be tweeting on the day. Follow us on twitter @MusArtTherapy

Do check the gallery website for any returns:

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/talks-and-conversations-art-therapy-in-museums-and-galleries-reframing-practice-panel-discussion-29-02-2020?fbclid=IwAR29rr4wVHe6AXER-CJyGngmNEdthD0Fw73TOmO0XTfyVrmld1hCxnn-KvE

Call to contribute to research into arts and museum interventions

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Research is taking place into best practices regarding arts and museum interventions with a focus on pain management, loneliness and social isolation. The research is being conducted by Ian Koebner of the University of California’s Davis School of Medicine and Helen Chatterjee of University College London, in collaboration with the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance and the RSPH SIG Arts and Health.

http://www.lahf.org.uk/call-contribute-research-arts-and-museum-interventions

A funded PhD into the role of museums in supporting mental health

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Pathways to Wellbeing: exploring the role of museums in supporting mental health

University of Leicester

Examining the unique aspects of the museum experience to understand how museums can support mental wellbeing and mental health. Focusing on the specific affective, social, spatial and material characteristics of museums.

https://www.midlands4cities.ac.uk/find-a-project/

‘Materiality and the use of objects in art psychotherapy’

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Creative Response, BAAT’s special interest group, organised a study day on 3 October 2019 with a theme ‘Materiality and the use of objects in art psychotherapy’. The study day was hosted by The Harley Street Clinic and The Wallace Collection museum.
The content of the day was constructed to introduce the use of museum resources in therapy practice from two perspectives: one – from art therapy point of view, and another – from the museum point of view.
First part of the day was dedicated to theoretical and practical considerations of this relatively new format of practice. Helen Jury, Art Psychotherapist, who has
has been pursuing doctoral research at UCL London on this topic, delivered an insightful presentation. It was followed by thought-provoking object-handling session. Helen Jury writes:
“Art Psychotherapy in museums is a growing field and one which is becoming increasingly influential in terms of community engagement in this time of shrinking resources and reapplication and thinking around space, place and function. Both museum practitioners and Art Psychotherapists are developing exciting and innovative practice that looks at shared professional input and re-designation of museum space, objects and function”.
Second part of the day was dedicated to the museum visit, where participants engaged in art making and discussions.
Amy Chang, curator (Education Department) at The Wallace Collection, conducted a stimulating guided tour, showing most interesting highlights of the collection. She also presented to the group a museum outreach programme ‘The Wallace on the ward’, which is currently being delivered to hospitals and care homes.
Very positive feedback was received from fellow art therapists and we hope it has inspired people to work more with museum resources. There are some comments from the participants:
” I work with loss and not in museums so opened my eyes to different areas of work”.
“Really useful to consider/ bringing together different interests”.
“As a newly qualified APT having written my dissertation on this subject – it was reaffirming and helped me believe I can work in this area”.
“Very interesting and lots of material for further research. Thought provoking”.
“Energizing and so much to reflect on. So relevant to practice/ Fantastic day!”
Creative Response
Nana Zhvitiashvili