Museum institutions worldwide are continually seeking innovative ways to attract more visitors. However, the focus isn't solely on the younger generation; with low birth rates and aging populations, many museums have started to redesign their spaces and organize workshops and events tailored to elderly individuals, especially those living with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, conditions often surrounded by shame and stigma.
For instance, project Dance Well organizes workshops specifically for people living with Parkinson's. This initiative promotes the practice of contemporary dance in various cultural institutions, including museum spaces and art settings. Last year, they held workshops at Milan’s Triennale.
One particularly enduring and inspirational project was launched in 2006 by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. At the time the museum introduced an educational program called Meet Me at MoMA, specifically designed for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The monthly program mainly focused on interactive tours of the museum’s renowned collection of modern art and special exhibitions, catering to individuals in the early and middle stages of the disease, along with their family members and caregivers.
Research has shown that looking at and discussing art can positively impact people with neurodegenerative diseases, boosting their self-confidence. Besides, the change in environment, from a care home or from their house where they are often confined with their caregivers, and the presence of art, encourage new, positive experiences and conversations.
Building on this, MoMA expanded its efforts through the MoMA Alzheimer’s Project (2007-2014). This educational initiative aimed to train other museums, associations, organizations, and individuals in creating programs tailored for those with Alzheimer's disease. A handy PDF guide introduced the project and provided information about dementia and Alzheimer's. Inspired by the MoMA program (the Meet Me at MoMa events are still going), ten Dutch museums now offer a similar program called Unforgettable.
One of the latest institutions inspired by the Museum of Modern Art's Alzheimer's Project is the Kunstmuseum Den Haag in The Hague, The Netherlands. At the end of June this year, the gallery launched the "Art Connection" tour, dedicated to people with dementia and their caregivers. These monthly tours, running until December 27, 2024, explore different topics. So far, they have covered colors, examining works like Paul Signac's pointillist "Cassis, Cap Lombard, Opus 196" and Alexej von Jawlensky’s expressionist "Head of a Woman," as well as nature. Upcoming themes include housing, children, and clothing.
The central element of this new program is the emotional response to artworks and the connecting power of art through sensory stimulation. Visitors are invited to see palettes of color, engage with coloring-in sheets, smell displays (olfactive installations are trending in museums), discuss art, and share stories and memories. The focus is on having fun and interacting with each other, setting aside the caregiving relationship momentarily.
The tours are scheduled for the last Friday afternoon of every month, accommodating 14 people (7 with dementia and 7 caregivers). Participation is free of charge for this year.
Art has the power to uplift our hearts, bringing joy and alleviating anxiety and pain. But in this case, it does even more: for people with neurogenerative diseases, this program offers a chance to enjoy a social space, view artworks, and participate in stimulating activities. While these activities might seem minor to some, they significantly enhance cognitive functioning in many people with dementia.
As populations age, the number of people with Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases will increase. Developing tailored programs for the elderly in museums can help slow down these diseases, combat the associated shame and stigma, and restore dignity to patients, reintegrating them in a society that too often treats them as invisible entities.
Additionally, these programs serve as a reminder for all of us to monitor our health, recognize early signs of neurological illness, and prevent rapid degeneration.
In November, the gallery will hold a session dedicated to art and clothing. Maybe some institutions that organize fashion related exhibitions might consider an exhibition focused on fashion that reawakens the senses of people with neurodegenerative diseases through touch or smell.
After all, it is not uncommon for people with Alzheimer's to see personal belongings such as garments or accessories and remember a story linked to the time they wore them, a process that puts memories in motion. MoMA's notes can still be a great starting point, providing inspiration and structure for the background research for such a project.
Comments