Case study of a museum program in addressing eating disorders and body Image

Authors:

• Jinglin Hou, Museology Graduate Program
• Chair: Jessica Luke
• Cristen Harris
• Laura Evans

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Abstract:

Museums play an essential role in many health care issues, including helping patients, training medical professionals, and educating the public about health and wellness issues. As the mental illness with the highest mortality rate, eating disorders have drawn the attention of museums. The purpose of this study was to explore how one museum address eating disorders and body image within their programming. Using a case study design, data were collected through documents and facilitated interviews with participants in an eating disorder program, Sharing the Museum – Sharing the Douglas, at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Results pointed out that art museums could be a place for eating disorder patients to break isolation and build up positive feelings. Implications suggest that museums should continue to emphasize diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion work to build up their reputation and then partner with health systems to build more programs to benefit the eating disorder patient community.