{"id":5563,"date":"2025-06-11T10:02:50","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T10:02:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/?p=5563"},"modified":"2025-09-16T08:57:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T08:57:11","slug":"museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"Museum prescriptions: museums have your well-being at heart\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Museum prescriptions are now available in our capital, thanks to the initiative of the City of Brussels and CHU Brugmann. In concrete terms, healthcare professionals can prescribe their patients (along with one accompanying person) a free visit to a museum just like medication. Open Museum presents how the BELvue Museum adopted this Canadian initiative. It is one of the 14 museums* participating in the project since 2024.\u00a0The BELvue museum<\/a> is one of the 14 museums participing in the project since 2024\u00a0<\/p>\n

Methodology<\/h2>\n

The museum became aware of the benefits culture has on physical and mental health after noticing the recent success of the original project in Canada. The benefits are recognized by neurological studies as well as by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since inclusion is one of the core values of the institution, it was only natural for it to join the project.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The BELvue aims to offer three benefits to patients: a bubble of well-being and relaxation, an opportunity to reconnect with family, and a moment of achievement for people for whom leaving home can be difficult.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To welcome individual visitors seeking a calm environment, a low-stimulation morning is organized on the first Wednesday of each month.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The museum also partnered with CAP (Center for Animation and Pedagogy) to co-create a tailored visit called “Belgium in Harmony”, specifically designed for groups visiting the museum through a museum prescription. This new format combines the benefits of a museum visit with music therapy. Music becomes a second voice, complementing the guides, engaging the senses, and inviting relaxation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Overcoming Challenges<\/h2>\n

Making one\u2019s museum a place of welcome and care can be complex. The experience of Aur\u00e9lie Cerf, Head of Audiences and Activities at BELvue, highlights barriers commonly faced by museum professionals. Here is her advice for overcoming them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The main challenge was defining and creating a safe space, especially considering the multiple sensory stimuli present in the permanent exhibition. Sounds, lights, and other sensory stimuli can excite, overstimulate, or tire visitors’ senses.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The first step was to turn off audio and visual supports one morning a month, \u00a0to provide a more calming experience during the low-stimulation sessions.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Secondly, the wide variety of profiles targeted by museum prescriptions represents a challenge that requires continuous adaptation. To meet this need, a model visit was created by BELvue and the nonprofit CAP . It is adjustable depending on the needs of patient groups. This visit can be offered to individuals affected by Alzheimer\u2019s disease as well as those experiencing depression.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The specificity of the project and the lack of information were also challenges for both museum and medical staff. The former faced some dissatisfaction from visitors during low-stimulation mornings, who felt they were missing out on information due to inactive screens and audio. The latter have a different expertise and are rarely aware of what museums offer or their particularities. Educational efforts are needed, including organizing visits specifically for healthcare professionals to introduce them to the actions taken for these audiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Reaping Long-Term Benefits<\/h2>\n

Several positive aspects are also highlighted by Aur\u00e9lie Cerf.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thanks to the initiative of the City of Brussels, the BELvue has structurally integrated the theme of mental health into the museum: staff have been trained, and a partnership with an expert nonprofit was established. These measures have enabled a deep awareness of health-related issues in the museum and the needs of patient-audiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moreover, the museum gained great media visibility and a positive brand image as a listening, caring institution.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Finally, although only 20% of prescriptions are actually used by patients, it\u2019s important to consider the long-term benefits they bring to these beneficiaries. This figure may seem low, but it encourages museums to work on the many barriers that stand between them and those who do not visit. Museum prescriptions should be combined with other actions to make the museum more attractive. Financial obstacles are not the only barriers\u2014serious institutional image, mobility challenges, representation of various communities, and language levels can all be reasons why prescription holders do not use them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Inspiring by Example<\/h2>\n

Adapting for specific audiences can trigger broader changes that benefit many, including museum teams. After all, who hasn\u2019t felt fatigued during a museum visit? Museum fatigue includes headaches, eye strain, loss of focus\u2014all of which are consequences of the overwhelming stimuli in exhibitions. \u00a0While people with mental health issues stand to benefit the most, the calmer environment also supports general visitors and frontline staff (guards, receptionists, guides).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Step by Step:<\/strong>
\nStart with low-resource, temporary actions:\u00a0<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Organize a time slot or day where the museum offers a low-stimulation visit. Reduce\/cut noise and light to limit sensory input. Offer alternative supports to replace missing information.\u00a0<\/li>\n
  • Use temporary events as an opportunity to try something new: Brussels Museums Nocturnes are a great way to test new approaches!\u00a0<\/li>\n
  • Communicate your actions to raise awareness around overstimulation and mental health issues.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    To go further:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Train your staff on mental health issues. This fosters empathy and equips them to interact with visitors and colleagues.\u00a0<\/li>\n
    • Develop activities to address specific needs:\u00a0<\/li>\n
    • An activity for Alzheimer\u2019s patients will emphasize the senses and emotions to encourage speech and memory.\u00a0<\/li>\n
    • A visit for those with Alzheimer\u2019s and similar illnesses will focus on long-term memory and social connection.\u00a0<\/li>\n
    • A visit for people with ADHD or on the autism spectrum will minimize sensory input. Provide noise-cancelling headphones or fidget toys for added comfort.\u00a0<\/li>\n
    • Invite doctors or community centers to visit the museum and discover the benefits of cultural activities. Explain your museum\u2019s specifics, methods, and goals to help healthcare workers understand the value of a museum visit.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Recognizing the importance of mental health in museums\u2014whether through prescriptions or specific actions\u2014can lead to unexpected results. In fact, it becomes clear that these efforts benefit everyone: prescription holders, undiagnosed patients, easily distracted children, guides and guards who spend the day in exhibition rooms, people who love calm and introspection, and many others. The proposed adaptations attract a more diverse audience than originally targeted. Everyone has something to gain by going to the museum!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

      * The museums participating in the 2024 museum prescriptions project are: Art et Marges Museum, Bozar, Centrale for Contemporary Art, Design Museum Brussels, the Manneken-Pis Wardrobe, BELvue Museum, National Bank of Belgium Museum, Brussels City Museum, Sewer Museum, Magritte Museum, Fashion and Lace Museum, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Coudenberg Palace, War heritage institute.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      * A safe space is a refuge where as many accommodations as possible are made so that marginalized people feel safe both mentally and physically.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      \u00a0\u00a9 Photo : Jonas Polet<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Museum prescriptions are now available in our capital, thanks to the initiative of the City of Brussels and CHU Brugmann. In concrete terms, healthcare professionals…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":5524,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[146,143],"class_list":["post-5563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-good-practices","tag-mental-health-end","tag-social-cohesion-eng"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMuseum prescriptions: museums have your well-being at heart\u00a0 - Open Museum<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Museum prescriptions: museums have your well-being at heart\u00a0 - Open Museum\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Museum prescriptions are now available in our capital, thanks to the initiative of the City of Brussels and CHU Brugmann. In concrete terms, healthcare professionals…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Open Museum\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-11T10:02:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-16T08:57:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Nocturnes2025-BELvue_\u00a9JonasPolet-3.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"591\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"354\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Julie\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Julie\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Julie\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/db763d25a939bebaa1d44edcb7c7367b\"},\"headline\":\"Museum prescriptions: museums have your well-being at heart\u00a0\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-11T10:02:50+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-16T08:57:11+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1100,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Nocturnes2025-BELvue_\u00a9JonasPolet-3.png\",\"keywords\":[\"mental health\",\"social cohesion\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Good practices\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\\\/\",\"name\":\"Museum prescriptions: museums have your well-being at heart\u00a0 - Open Museum\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Nocturnes2025-BELvue_\u00a9JonasPolet-3.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-11T10:02:50+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-16T08:57:11+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/db763d25a939bebaa1d44edcb7c7367b\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Nocturnes2025-BELvue_\u00a9JonasPolet-3.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Nocturnes2025-BELvue_\u00a9JonasPolet-3.png\",\"width\":591,\"height\":354,\"caption\":\"\u00a9JonasPolet\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"Open Museum\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/db763d25a939bebaa1d44edcb7c7367b\",\"name\":\"Julie\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/3bf0f92db7c95f723047c3ba1026f8a05034a37e6d3e83d09db1bd2f797a765c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/3bf0f92db7c95f723047c3ba1026f8a05034a37e6d3e83d09db1bd2f797a765c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/3bf0f92db7c95f723047c3ba1026f8a05034a37e6d3e83d09db1bd2f797a765c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Julie\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/brussels-museums\\\/posts\\\/?feedView=all\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/openmuseum.brussels\\\/en\\\/author\\\/julie_bm\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Museum prescriptions: museums have your well-being at heart\u00a0 - Open Museum","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Museum prescriptions: museums have your well-being at heart\u00a0 - Open Museum","og_description":"Museum prescriptions are now available in our capital, thanks to the initiative of the City of Brussels and CHU Brugmann. In concrete terms, healthcare professionals…","og_url":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/","og_site_name":"Open Museum","article_published_time":"2025-06-11T10:02:50+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-09-16T08:57:11+00:00","og_image":[{"width":591,"height":354,"url":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Nocturnes2025-BELvue_\u00a9JonasPolet-3.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Julie","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Julie","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/"},"author":{"name":"Julie","@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/db763d25a939bebaa1d44edcb7c7367b"},"headline":"Museum prescriptions: museums have your well-being at heart\u00a0","datePublished":"2025-06-11T10:02:50+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-16T08:57:11+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/"},"wordCount":1100,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Nocturnes2025-BELvue_\u00a9JonasPolet-3.png","keywords":["mental health","social cohesion"],"articleSection":["Good practices"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/","url":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/","name":"Museum prescriptions: museums have your well-being at heart\u00a0 - Open Museum","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Nocturnes2025-BELvue_\u00a9JonasPolet-3.png","datePublished":"2025-06-11T10:02:50+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-16T08:57:11+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/db763d25a939bebaa1d44edcb7c7367b"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/museum-prescriptions-museums-have-your-well-being-at-heart\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Nocturnes2025-BELvue_\u00a9JonasPolet-3.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Nocturnes2025-BELvue_\u00a9JonasPolet-3.png","width":591,"height":354,"caption":"\u00a9JonasPolet"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/","name":"Open Museum","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/db763d25a939bebaa1d44edcb7c7367b","name":"Julie","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3bf0f92db7c95f723047c3ba1026f8a05034a37e6d3e83d09db1bd2f797a765c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3bf0f92db7c95f723047c3ba1026f8a05034a37e6d3e83d09db1bd2f797a765c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3bf0f92db7c95f723047c3ba1026f8a05034a37e6d3e83d09db1bd2f797a765c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Julie"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/brussels-museums\/posts\/?feedView=all"],"url":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/author\/julie_bm\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5563"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5838,"href":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5563\/revisions\/5838"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openmuseum.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}