Mindfulness in the Museum

Mindfulness has its roots in Buddhism and is described as “the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, 2005, 145). Best practices in mindful meditation entail drawing attention to a single object, typically the breath, and then allowing the field of attention to expand to include all physical and mental activity, such as bodily sensations, thoughts, emotions, memories, and so forth, as they unfold in the present moment.

Research shows the benefits of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) include improved attention, concentration, and memory; increased self-awareness and empathy; and reduced stress. Fueled by decades of studies on adults, researchers are applying MBIs to the field of education to study the impact of mindfulness training on children and adolescents. Recent investigations have shown increased focus, attention, cognitive capacities, social and emotional learning, empathy, perspective-taking, and optimism.

Getty’s Education Department began exploring mindfulness-based approaches in 2016 with “Mindfulness with a Masterpiece,” a program in which museum visitors explored a select object from the permanent collection through guided meditation led by Getty staff. With focus on the present moment, the meditative journey served as a means to empower visitors to awaken deeper connections and experience the artwork holistically.

Through this program, Museum visitors have the opportunity to engage wholly with works of art, becoming more aware of their own relationship to the pieces. Sessions take place at the Getty Center, facilitated by gallery educator Lilit Sadoyan, to engender contemplative experiences that provide meaningful connections to works of art as well as to the Central Garden. General public Museum visitors participate in a free, twenty-minute mindfulness meditation and exploration of a single work of art, by drawing attention to their thoughts, feelings, and sensations vis-à-vis the artwork. The program was also offered as part of Los Angeles County Arts and Health Week, June 13-18, 2022. To support Getty staff wellbeing, the Mindful Moments in the Museum program was offered to employees before public hours to help colleagues relax, recharge, and reconnect.

Art Impact is a museum education program for youth utilizing mindfulness-based approaches to explore works of art at the Getty Museum. The core curriculum is informed by the essential characteristics of mindfulness-based programs (MBPs). Art Impact is unique in that it is a multi-visit mindfulness program intentionally designed around scaffolding learning and building knowledge week after week. Mindful looking sessions, led by gallery educator Lilit Sadoyan, direct both mind and body to the work of art through sensing, feeling, and moving. In its pilot phase, Getty Youth Development Programs partnered with artworxLA and welcomed 12 high-school interns to visit the Museum over eight consecutive weekly sessions in 2022. Participants developed techniques for integrating and deepening their practice beyond the Museum program. A report about the 2022 program is in the Resources section below.

This half-day convening on August 23, 2022 brought together educators who have a mindfulness practice or a curiosity about mindfulness-based approaches to share and learn from one another. A series of talks by inspiring thought leaders offered case studies and strategies for integrating mindfulness with art in a museum setting.