Whitney Wellness

Beyond teaching art history, museums can be sites of community, reparative experiences, self-empowerment, empathy, and practicing skills of observation and perception. Researchers in neuroaesthetics, cardiology, and other fields continue to discover the mental health, heart health, and other benefits of aesthetic engagement. Art uniquely connects intellectually and emotionally to people in different ways, allowing for deep intersubjective exploration of how we make meaning in a convivial, collaborative, and enjoyable experience.

In collaboration with The Empathy Project at NYU Langone, the Whitney has developed a curriculum that engages medical students, faculty, and staff to build and practice empathy skills through guided close-looking, self-reflection on the experience of perception, and learning to understand other perspectives. 

The Whitney has also partnered with NYC Health + Hospitals on a joint initiative to create a safe and nurturing environment for hospital staff through the transformative power of art. Hospital staff, from nursing and palliative care to security, engage in reflective discussions and guided observations, artmaking, and contemplative writing to deepen their understanding of one another and enhance their connection to their work. This innovative approach helps alleviate burnout in the workplace while allowing individuals to find inspiration and meaning in their work. 

These partnerships, and others, have provided invaluable insights into new ways we can engage with our community and offer meaningful wellness experiences, both for personal enrichment and to spread into the broader social community.

Partners

The Arts in Medicine department at NYC Health + Hospitals

The Empathy Project at NYU Langone

Co-Create Art Therapy