Museum Education and Art Therapy: Exploring an Innovative Partnership

Abstract

This report describes collaborations between the disciplines of museum education and art therapy, which inspired the implementation of a pilot art therapy program at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art in Tennessee (USA). Because relatively limited research has been conducted on this trend, the author reviewed museum exhibits and programming, as well as sought data from e-mail surveys of museum educators and art therapists who have worked at this interface. Survey results suggest that offering art therapy as a means of  furthering the museum's mission, where appropriate, is key in developing innovative partnerships between art therapy and museums.

Acknowledgments

Editor's Note: Karen Peacock, MPS, ATR-BC, is an art therapist in Memphis, Tennessee.