Museums on Call: Museums as Partners in Health and Well-Being

Museums have always played an important role in supporting their communities. They inspire curiosity, foster connection, preserve culture, and create spaces where people can learn, reflect, and heal. Increasingly, museums are also being recognized as valuable partners in promoting health and well-being.

That’s the idea behind Museums on Call, a growing national initiative led by the Illinois Association of Museums that connects museums with healthcare providers, hospitals, hospices, and other care organizations. By bringing arts, history, science, and cultural experiences into healthcare settings—and by welcoming healthcare partners into museums—the initiative expands access to the benefits of cultural engagement for people throughout their health journeys.

Research continues to demonstrate that engagement with museums and the arts can reduce stress, combat social isolation, improve emotional well-being, and support lifelong learning. Museums on Call builds on this growing body of evidence by creating opportunities for museums and healthcare organizations to work together in meaningful and sustainable ways.

MAAM is proud to participate in this effort alongside museum associations and cultural organizations from across the country. As part of our commitment to building resilient, community-centered museums, we believe this initiative aligns closely with our mission to empower and connect museum professionals while exploring new ways museums can serve the public.

Whether your museum is just beginning to think about health partnerships or already has programs that support community well-being, Museums on Call offers ideas, resources, and a growing network of colleagues engaged in this work.

In the coming months, MAAM will share updates, learning opportunities, and conversations that help our members explore how museums can strengthen their role as trusted community partners.

We encourage you to learn more about Museums on Call and consider how your institution might participate in this evolving movement.