From left to right: Michel de la Chenelière, President, Fondation de la Chenelière
and great patron of the MMFA; Dr. Johanne Blais, member of the board of directors, Médecins francophones du Canada (MFdC); Dr. Hélène Boyer, Vice-President, MFdC; Directrice générale of MFdC; Nathalie Bondil, Director General and Chief Curator, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA); Dr. Diane Poirier, President, MFdC; Nicole Parent, Director General, MFdC; and Thomas Bastien, Director of Education and Wellness, MMFA; at the Médecins francophones du Canada convention, Montreal, October 10, 2018. (photo by Pierre Longtin)
Starting Nov. 1, physicians who belong to Médecins francophones du Canada will be able to prescribe free visits to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
The innovative collaboration, reportedly the first such initiative in the world, strengthens the link between Quebec's medical and museum communities.
The museum says the program provides "a safe, welcoming place, a relaxing, revitalizing experience, a moment of respite, and an opportunity to strengthen ties with loved ones."
It cites studies that suggest the arts promote relaxation, stimulate neuronal connectivity for psychological resilience, and have a positive impact on attention and working memory.
Another project allows doctors to recommend group art therapy sessions at the museum.
The museum has become a research laboratory for measuring the impact of art on health, with 10 clinical studies currently underway. Its education and wellness team, which includes a full-time art therapist, builds activities with curative potential.
The museum has worked with people with autism, epilepsy, eating disorders, Alzheimer's disease, intellectual challenges, breast cancer, cardiac arrhythmia and mental health issues.
Source: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts