The High Museum of Art in Atlanta is conducting a two-year study to explore how art museum visits affect the well-being of diverse adult audiences. Partnering with Brenau University and Performance Hypothesis, the research will examine the social, emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual effects of art on visitors.
Barbara Steinhaus, a professor at Brenau, noted a World Health Organization report indicating that arts engagement reduces social isolation. The study aims to understand how museums impact visitors' overall sense of well-being, considering the diverse emotional reactions art can evoke.
While some view museums as spaces for learning and challenge, others see them as a refuge. The research seeks to understand how museums can foster a sense of connection and understanding, even when confronting unsettling art. Well-being, as defined by James O. Pawelski, involves cultivating strengths, meaning, and positive states, going beyond mere "feeling good" to encompass empathy and a broader perspective.