Understanding Students’ Emotional Wellbeing within Art Museum Experiences

Authors:

• Jessica Conway & Erin Cotton, Museology Graduate Program
• Chair: Jessica Luke
• Rachel Hershberg
• Rayna Mathis

Abstract:

Young people in the United States experience high rates of mental health disorders, yet treatment levels are low. Art museums have the potential to make a difference through thoughtful programming, exhibits, and community building. Little research has focused on understanding the emotional health impacts of art museum visitation on students. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of art museum experiences in teens’ and college students’ emotional wellbeing. Participants included 24 undergraduate students attending the University of Washington, Seattle, WA and 13 teenagers participating in teen councils at Seattle-area art museums. Both teens and undergraduates participated in semi-structured interviews via Zoom after participation in a museum visit or teen arts council. Data was collected using the University College London Museum Wellbeing Measures Toolkit. Findings suggest that teens and undergraduate students felt that their emotional wellbeing was positively impacted by museum experiences. Participants felt that they escaped school and other outside stressors; developed their personal interests; enhanced their feelings of inclusion in building community; and shared their ideas with each other. These findings suggest that museum professionals and educators can further support students’ emotional wellbeing by implementing repeated museum experiences that help them feel more confident.