Abstract
Prior to COVID, museums were already struggling to remain relevant. Over the last eighteen months, the growing focus on structural and institutional racism has highlighted the problematic role of museums as guardians of history, given that collections were often sourced through fraught and violent histories. These shifts in attitude have compelled museums to examine colonial contributions and to assess a path forward that incorporates multiple narratives and attracts community engagement. The most effective way to achieve these goals is through partnerships with relevant organizations. In Canada, there have been few initiatives between museums and health care institutions to support local communities even though research has shown the efficacy of mental health and educational interventions in museum settings. This paper examines the potential for museums to create partnerships that genuinely support the needs of local communities. In Canada, this is particularly important amongst rural populations and Indigenous communities where they often lack access to resources that are sensitive to individual cultures and experiences. The benefits of shifting focus to become a community institution as opposed to guardian of history will position the museum to become an essential resource thereby ensuring a more solid future path.
Presenters
Liz FeldEducator, Education/Faculty of Art, Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives/OCAD University, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2021 Special Focus—Advancing Health and Equity: Best Practices in an International Perspective
KEYWORDS
Museums, Mental Health, Anti-Psychiatry, Social Prescriptions, Indigenous, Canada, Partnership, Healthcare
