Harnessing the Power of Museums : A Guide to Programs for Well-Being

In light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on health, well-being, and social justice, the role of the museum educator is ever changing in terms of community engagement and support, educational content, and material resources. Recognizing there is a unique opportunity to contribute to improved mental health and well-being of diverse communities through object-based experiences, the book outlines how a museum educator can lead, develop, broadly deliver, and assess wellness programs for museums of all disciplines. The contributors have developed and honed customized, impactful workshops serving 8,000+ participants over the past five years blending on-site and virtual formats allowing reach beyond local communities.
The workshops, which incorporate narrative medicine practices and collaboration, are accessible to a range of diverse participants including, but not limited to, visitors focused on enhancing their well-being through on-site workshops, medical students examining biases and empathy through object-based curriculum, and individuals coping with heightened mental health challenges.