Exploring Museums, Health, and Well-Being Together: Lessons from a Museum Studies and Clubhouse Partnership

Lois Silverman, Lyndsey Reid, Sevella Perry, Robert Coleman, Rebekah Loudenbeck, Madeline Griem

As museums position themselves as agents of health, well-being, and inclusion, museum studies students require new experiences and skills for such work. According to the worldwide Clubhouse model of social practice, individuals with serious mental illness also need new experiences and skills to support their psychiatric recovery. What if these two groups came together? A new course called “Museums, Health, and Well-Being” now connects Museum Studies students with members of Circle City Clubhouse in Indianapolis to work collaboratively on museum projects, assess outcomes, and learn together. This poster highlights the benefits and broader potential of this unique museum-social service partnership.

Group Members

L S

Lois Silverman

School of Liberal Arts, Museum Studies

L R

Lyndsey Reid

Circle City Clubhouse

S P

Sevella Perry

Circle City Clubhouse

R C

Robert Coleman

Circle City Clubhouse

R L

Rebekah Loudenbeck

School of Liberal Arts, Museum Studies

M G

Madeline Griem

School of Liberal Arts, Museum Studies