Mindfulness is often practiced in the meditation hall. Mindfulness in Museums explores what happens when this practice is moved into the public domain — into places where people gather and where art helps us encounter life. Museums are such spaces: public places where attention, reflection and shared humanity come together.

Mindfulness in Museums connects research-based mindfulness with the living practice of art and culture. As an international expertise platform, MiM brings together practice, training and research at the intersection of art, mindfulness and mental health.

Internationally, the field where art, health and society meet is rapidly growing. The 2019 WHO report, based on more than 900 studies, shows that arts and culture can make a meaningful contribution to health and wellbeing. Within the fields of Arts & Health, Culture & Care and neuroaesthetics, increasing attention is being given to the role of artistic experiences in mental health, resilience and social connection.

MiM contributes to this development by connecting evidence-based mindfulness interventions with art and museum practices. In this way, a form of mindfulness emerges that takes place not only in the meditation hall, but also in museums, galleries, healthcare settings and community spaces.

To further develop this practice, Mindfulness in Museums offers training, supervision and mentoring for qualified mindfulness teachers who wish to work at the intersection of art, mindfulness and mental health.