Healing Arts is a global campaign by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organization
THE ARTS CARE FOR US, CULTURE IS HEALTH
Healing Arts Barcelona is the first activation of the global Healing Arts movement in Spain. It aims to drive the implementation of national and local policies by leveraging the Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s model of research and policy advocacy to positively impact the lives of millions.
From 20 to 26 October 2025, the initiative will unfold in Barcelona and throughout Catalonia, led by the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, and the World Health Organization, with the support of the Government of Catalonia. This seven-day event will bring together institutions and professionals from the fields of health, culture, and public policy to foster collaboration and advance systemic change.
Rooted in research and community engagement, the initiative seeks to enhance physical, mental, and social well-being through the integration of the arts into healthcare and public health strategies.
Healing Arts Barcelona positions Catalonia as a leader in innovative, person-centred care. It highlights the role of culture in addressing the social determinants of health, with a strong focus on equity and inclusion, showcasing transformative artistic interventions that build community, strengthen emotional resilience, and generate evidence for scalable and sustainable impact.
"The museum is engaged in a collaborative, collective, and constantly evolving project that transcends the institution’s walls and teams, creating a broad and diverse network of alliances. This dynamic vision is now taking shape in the transformation and expansion process of the new museum, which will open its doors in 2029 and aims to redefine its role as a public cultural institution—one that is inclusive and a promoter of health."
Pepe Serra – Director, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) is a leading cultural institution housed in the Palau Nacional on Montjuïc, originally built for the 1929 International Exposition. It first opened in 1934 as the Museu d'Art de Catalunya, bringing together the medieval art collection. In 1995, as the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, it inaugurated the new Romanesque art galleries, and over the following years progressively expanded its public presentation of the collection, culminating in 2004 with the integration of modern art.
The MNAC is currently planning an ambitious expansion into a second historic building, which will double its exhibition space and enhance its ability to fulfill its mission. Broadening its curatorial role, the museum is also a key player in cultural and social innovation, with a strong focus on education, inclusion, and community health. It is internationally recognized for pioneering arts in health initiatives in collaboration with hospitals, primary care centers, universities, and public institutions.
The Jameel Arts & Health Lab is a global initiative to measurably improve health and wellbeing through the arts. With a focus on overlooked and underserved communities, the Lab leverages scientific evidence, artist-led advocacy, and capacity building to drive the integration of the arts into mainstream healthcare. The Jameel Arts & Health Lab was launched in January 2023 by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, the Steinhardt School at New York University, Community Jameel, and Culturunners. Established to measurably improve health and wellbeing through the arts, it is the first major initiative of its kind to be supported by WHO.
