Healing Arts is a global campaign by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organization
Healing Arts is a global campaign by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organization
The National Museum of Art of Catalonia (MNAC) has established itself and is widely recognized as a key player in the integration of the arts in the healthcare field , demonstrating how cultural institutions can contribute significantly to public health . This transformation is based on three main pillars: reports and guidance materials from the World Health Organization (WHO) calling for the integration of arts and culture into healthcare systems; the “Museums and Health” program of the Museums of Catalonia Plan Museums 2030; and the MNAC strategic plan. As part of its community action, the MNAC has evolved from its traditional role as a museum to a true community health tool . It now addresses both individual and collective health challenges through interdisciplinary collaborations between the art and health sectors.
Cultural institutions like the MNAC are in a privileged position to promote health and well-being, offering spaces for emotional healing , fostering creative expression and social interaction . MNAC’s innovative Arts in Health programs aim to prevent illness, promote mental and physical health and combat social isolation by mobilizing its extensive collection, public spaces and professional expertise. By positioning itself at the intersection of arts and health, the MNAC continues to lead transformative projects that improve public health, foster resilience and contribute to the growing evidence of the value of the arts globally.
In recent years, the integration of the arts into health care has experienced a great boost, becoming a powerful tool for promoting mental and physical well-being. The relationship between art and health has roots in ancient traditions, but only recently has it been explored scientifically: a landmark WHO review evaluated more than 900 studies demonstrating the health benefits of the arts. This review prompted a global call for governments to integrate arts and culture into health systems, underlining the preventive, therapeutic and health-promoting potential of the arts.
As a leading cultural institution, the MNAC has been a pioneer in Catalonia in this integration . Leveraging its collections, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, it has become a key player in the intersection between arts and health. The museum's Arts in Health initiatives not only aim to provide preventive and therapeutic benefits, but also play an important role in emerging public health strategies, addressing social determinants of health, prevention, emotional well-being, and health literacy, while fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and research between health and the humanities.
At the center of MNAC’s commitment to art-and-health integration is the innovative Arts+Health Hub-Lab. This dedicated space is a platform for developing, hosting, and researching art-based health interventions. The hub facilitates collaboration between health professionals, researchers, artists, and the public, offering a place to explore and expand the therapeutic potential of art programs. It also functions as a meeting and socializing space, becoming a reference point within the museum for community-based art and health initiatives. As a strategic initiative, the Hub-Lab consolidates MNAC’s leadership in this area and acts as a driver for research, policy development, and the creation of community programs focused on health.
Main partners : MNAC and Arts in Health International Foundation (AiHIF)
Featured participants : Helen Catterjee (University College London), Thomas Bastien (Musée des Beaux‑Arts de Montréal), Dra. Carmen Cabezas (General of Catalonia), Dra. Cristina Nadal (Catalan Health Service), Dr. Jordi Blanch (Hospital Clinic)
This pioneering course introduced health and cultural professionals to the potential of the arts in therapeutic contexts, especially for addressing anxiety and depression. Spread over five weekly sessions, it featured international experts such as Helen Catterjee, who shared experiences on the use of museums as a public health intervention.
Key impact :
It contributed to the evidence on mental health, especially for people with anxiety and depression, and paved the way for the integration of the arts into the healthcare system.
Organized by : MNAC and Catalan Health Institute (ICS)
Featured participants : Dr. Christopher Bailey (WHO), Carmen Cabezas (Generalitat), and other representatives of MNAC, ICS and various cultural and health institutions.
This symposium brought together global and local experts to explore the role of the arts in community health, addressing mental illness, social isolation and chronic disease. Dr. Bailey's participation highlighted WHO's global interest in integrating the arts into public health policies.
Key impact :
It established a platform for the development of evidence-based programs, promoting international collaborations.
Retrieve the videos of the Conference here .
Partners : MNAC, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), ICS, AiHIF
This postgraduate diploma explores the intersection between humanities and health, focusing on cultural and social aspects of health, and training professionals to design Arts in Health programs.
Key impact :
80% of the final projects have been implemented after the course, demonstrating their practical impact.
With MNAC, ICS and 16 other museums in Catalonia, this project offered artistic interventions to combat stress and burnout caused by the pandemic. More than 2,000 professionals participated in guided tours and personalized materials for emotional reflection.
With Vall d'Hebron, group therapy sessions were offered for immigrant women with complex PTSD, combining art and the STAIR model to address anxiety, depression and isolation. Significant improvements were observed in clinical criteria.
Aimed at patients aged 12 to 17 and their families, it uses the modernist doors from the MNAC collection as a creative axis to help express emotions through art. The project aims to demonstrate measurable emotional benefits and is replicable in paediatric contexts.
In collaboration with the Barcelona Public Health Agency, it offers artistic workshops that promote creative expression and social interaction. The aim is to combat loneliness and improve the emotional health of participants.
With CAP Numància, this project combines walks around Montjuïc with reflections on works at the MNAC, promoting physical activity and emotional well-being through nature and art.
In collaboration with the Hospital Clínic, it offers two lines: emotional rehabilitation for cardiac arrest survivors and promotion of cardiac health through physical activities linked to artistic circuits.
Within the framework of the Erasmus+ Digital Spektrum project, the MNAC presents a webApp designed to train museum staff to improve their skills in interacting with and caring for visitors with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
(ERASMUS+ 2023‑2‑IT02‑KA210‑ADU‑000177194)
+INFO
Inclusive Memory. Inclusive Museums for Well-being and Health through the Creation of a New Shared Memory (ERASMUS+ 2021‑1‑IT02‑KA220‑HED‑000031991)
