Sarah Gibbard Cook
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Museum Visits by Prescription

11/19/2018

2 Comments

 
Starting this month, some doctors are prescribing art museum visits for selected patients and their families or caregivers. By agreement with the Médecins francophones du Canada (MdFC, French-speaking physicians of Canada), the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts admits up to two adults and two children free of charge for one visit per prescription.

Clinical research confirms the medical value of art. According to the museum/MdFC press release, “The studies stipulate that the arts stimulate neuronal connectivity that supports psychological resilience; that they have a positive impact on attention and working memory; and that they promote relaxation, and richer, more complex neural activity.” Like music, dance, and poetry, paintings shift levels of vital hormones and neurotransmitters. Art museum visits can help against pain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart conditions, mobility issues, and shortness of breath.

Culture is right in there with exercise, sleep, and social interactions in promoting good health. As for whether your insurance will ever cover it, I won’t venture to predict.
2 Comments
Rebecca link
11/19/2018 12:46:53 pm

Perhaps a reason people live longer in Canada? ; )

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Sarah link
11/19/2018 03:38:45 pm

In Canada less smoking, less obesity, and more culture? Fun thought.

In the late 1990s we saw a display of Inuit art in a Toronto museum, probably the Art Gallery of Ontario. The massive stone Inuit sculptures were fascinating and in some cases downright scary. Wonder how they'd affect blood pressure and heart rate.

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    I'm a historian who writes novels and literary nonfiction. My home base is Madison, Wisconsin. 

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