Project title
Description of initiative
By the beginning of 2021, three Ghent museums (i.e. Museum dr. Guislain, Huis van Alijn and Heritage House Sisters of Charity) decided to deepen their expertise on cultural heritage and wellbeing. Under the heading ‘ErfGoedVoelen’ and in collaboration with partners from the healthcare, research and educational sector, they submitted a project proposal to the Flemish Government via the Cultural Heritage Decree, to examine and facilitate wellbeing-oriented cultural heritage interventions. Through four pilot projects, ErfGoedVoelen addressed a different group each time: (1) adolescents receiving support from a psychiatric institution, (2) home-based adults with (young onset) dementia and their informal caregivers, (3) children receiving support from a psychiatric institution, and (4) home-based individuals over-55s experiencing social isolation. During weekly meetings at the museums, several cultural heritage methods (e.g. object handling, object storytelling, creating) were used.
Although the cultural heritage sector is increasingly committed to developing its outreach efforts whereby heritage collections are used to promote wellbeing, little is known about the giving of meaning of and by those involved.
The research report associated with the ErfGoedVoelen project aims to explore the meaning and prerequisites of wellbeing-focused cultural heritage interventions. Using an interpretive research design, it offers valuable insight into the important role these projects can play for both participants and professionals, along with a thorough analysis of the factors and conditions that contribute to their success.
Themes: Culture and...
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Cultural field
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Results, benefits, impact and lessons learnt
The research report is composed of several sections. Following the literature study and problem statement (1), which includes a description of the shift from impact to meaning, the research questions (2) are formulated. This is followed by a brief description of the progress of the various pilot projects (3) and an explanation of the research methods used (4). The subsequent section (5) outlines the research findings on the basis of a number of overarching themes. Initially the meaning for participants and professionals is discussed in more detail, followed by the structural integration of wellbeing-focused heritage activities using a number of preconditions and areas of conflict. Finally, we have included a general closing statement (6). In addition, two post qualitative interludes provide an opportunity to find out more about several subtle but meaningful moments within wellbeing-focused cultural heritage activities. These interludes not only illustrate the themes discussed earlier, but also invite us to explore and appreciate the complexity and significance of wellbeing-focused cultural heritage activities.