When a doctor gives you a prescription, you’re probably expecting it to be for medication. But a pilot scheme launched in Montreal back in 2018 extended the notion of social prescribing – connecting people to activities, groups and communities – into “museums on prescription”.

With International Museum Day (IMD) celebrated on 18 May each year, it seems that museums are finding their way into both the medical profession and the public psyche.

The IMD theme for 2025 is “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”, which seeks to understand how museums can both navigate and contribute to a rapidly evolving global landscape.

So, just how can we harness this notion of museums as therapeutic, adaptive places that can boost our health? Read on to find out how we can shift old stereotypes of dusty artefacts and inaccessible art into new concepts of living, breathing spaces that can lift your spirits and improve your mental health.

Museums on prescription could help to boost wellbeing and promote good health

The pilot programme in Canada began as an idea from the general director of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, who was convinced that their collections could be more than just eye-catching.

This led to the scheme being established, giving thousands of doctors free passes to the museum to prescribe to patients, with the hope that this could alleviate a number of conditions – including depression, anxiety, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Now, the scheme has been rolled out in Neuchâtel in Switzerland, with 500 prescriptions given to doctors to distribute.

This is more than just a “nice idea”. A report from the World Health Organization found that the arts can have a role in “promoting good health and health equity, preventing illness, and treating acute and chronic conditions across the life-course.”

Social prescribing has also become more prevalent in the UK. Indeed, as reported by the Week, NHS England acknowledges a “growing body of evidence” that it can improve people’s wellbeing.

The benefits of museums: Improving individual, collective and community welfare

The Museums Association (MA) represents all four nations of the UK, advocating for the value and impact of museums to be realised, and recognising and celebrating the cultural and legislative differences across the nations.

According to the MA, museums can:

  • Improve our sense of wellbeing
  • Make us feel proud of our heritage
  • Break down barriers to access and inclusion
  • Encourage participation and engagement
  • Deliver positive social impact across communities
  • Create better places to live and work.

It has highlighted the great work done by its member associations in transforming lives through innovative projects.

  • The Scottish Crannog Centre works to upskill people from areas across Scotland that are deprived of access to training.
  • Florence Court House in Northern Ireland runs an annual programme for collections care and conservation volunteers, with a strong focus on the social aspects of the scheme.
  • Monmouthshire Museums Service brings together young people and people living with dementia in its intergenerational memory cafes.
  • Manchester Art Gallery’s Families of the World initiative provides creative activities for families from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Eritrea, and Sudan, with artist-led sessions and a shared meal.

Keeping active, engaged and part of the community are good lessons for our continued wellbeing

While museums on prescription are yet to land in the UK, our increased focus on social prescribing is good news.

The medical profession is beginning to recognise the value of reducing isolation, increasing activity and engagement, and improving community experiences.

If you feel inspired to visit a museum, lots of them are free and accessible. You can find museums in your local area to explore – why not see what’s on?

Many also have a café – the Guardian has even compiled a list of the 50 best museum cafés in the UK – so you can have a wander, soak up the culture, and enjoy a relaxing cuppa and cake afterwards.

The benefits of being active, social, and engaged in the world around us are evidenced by the museums on prescription scheme, as well as other community arts projects. A good lesson to take into retirement: keeping busy, staying involved, and immersing yourself in a range of cultures could be good for your health and wellbeing.

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Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.