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World Alzheimer's Month: Public art galleries are enhancing quality of life and sustaining wellbeing of people living with dementia.
© Danielle Robertson Consulting Pty Ltd t/as DR Care Solutions
Out of the Big Apple
The concept of public art galleries being more accessible to people living with dementia started at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York.
With the support of funding from a major donor, in 2007, MOMA made its existing successful education program for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their carers available to art museums and galleries, nationally and internationally.
MOMA’s Meet Me: Making Art Accessible to People with Dementia[1], published in hard copy and online formats, provides a comprehensive framework for creating art programs for individuals with dementia and their care partners.
At its core is the understanding that art can provide a meaningful immersive experience for people living with dementia.
Australia following close behind
Around the same time, a team of Australian National University researchers[2] were piloting an Art and Dementia program at The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in Canberra[3]. It drew on MOMA resources for gallery staff training.
Sixteen years on, thanks to donor funding and gallery volunteers, the NGA’s Art and Dementia program is well-established, and its model is followed by art museums and galleries around Australia.
What does the program involve?
The program allows participants to reminisce, feel validated and included, and socialise. Its delivery involves discussion of three or four works in a gallery’s collection, along with artmaking activities, with discussion carefully facilitated by a person trained in both art and dementia.
While the sessions involve the primary carer, they take a back seat, as the focus is on having their loved one lead and participate in the conversation. Mind you there’s benefit for the care giver as they share a special and positive experience with their loved one.
Where can I access the Art and Dementia program in Australia?
Regular vibrant art and dementia programs can be found at:
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The National Gallery of Australia[4] – with monthly free online sessions available to all Australians with online access.
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The Art Gallery of NSW[5] – also with monthly free online sessions available to all Australians with online access.
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The Queensland Art Gallery[6].
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The Art Gallery of Western Australia[7].
If your closest public gallery is not running a program, contact them and encourage them to run one. A call from a member of the public in 2011 prompted the Queensland Art Gallery to look into it and their program is now winning State awards[8].
Guidance on how to run the program is available through MOMA online tutorials[9]. You may need a local donor to help fund some aspects such as transporting your audience to and from the gallery. You’ll also need some gallery volunteers. For such a wonderful initiative, I’m sure you’ll find some!
Activity Poster for Visiting a Loved One Living with Dementia
If you are visiting someone living with dementia, download our Dementia Activity Poster for great ideas of activities you can share with your loved one.
Dementia Activity PosterActivities for Living in the Moment & Enjoying the PresentVisits to a loved one living with dementia can be an amazing and rewarding experience for both of you. But we know it's not always easy knowing what activities to enjoy with them that will be rewarding, fun and comfortable. We put together a list of enjoyable activities for your visits.It's free and easy to download; we invite you to get your copy. Submit the form below and we'll send it directly to your email address. |
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Need help caring for a loved one? Please feel free to call me, Danielle Robertson, at any time for an initial discussion on how to set up the right care, support and assistance at the right time and in the right place.
Resources
[1] MoMA's Meet Me project
[2] Research Gate: An Art Gallery Access Programme For People With Dementia: 'You Do It For The Moment"
[3] National Art Gallery of Australia: Art and Dementia Research
[4] National Art Gallery of Australia Art and Dementia By Request
[5] The Art Gallery of NSW Art and Dementia
[6] Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art
[7] The Art Gallery of Western Australia
[8] The University of Queensland: Art and Dementia - A Non-Pharmacological Intervention Approach
[9] MoMA: Alzheimer's Project - Making Art Accessible to People with Dementia
