Art, creativity and culture are good for you!
Hi, I’m Louise Thompson – I train museums, galleries, heritage and arts organisations to design and deliver creative health and wellbeing programmes.
Science is now confirming what many of us have always known instinctively: art, creativity and culture can help people live longer, happier and healthier lives
With more than 20 years’ experience in the UK’s cultural sector, I’m passionate about helping museums, galleries, heritage and cultural organisations unlock their potential to support health and wellbeing.
For 13 years, I was Health and Wellbeing Manager at Manchester Art Gallery, where I led the development of the gallery’s health and wellbeing programme from a small, project-based initiative into the internationally recognised, strategically embedded programme it is today. Health and wellbeing became integral to every aspect of the gallery’s work, influencing its programmes, partnerships and organisational culture.
My work is particularly focused on:
- Creative health practice
- Mindfulness-based engagement with cultural collections
- Trauma-informed museum and gallery practice
- Psychoeducation
- Sharing practical skills, knowledge and evidence about how culture and creativity can improve people’s health and wellbeing
Get in touch
If you’re interested in training, consultancy or producing resources then get in touch –mindful.museums@gmail.com
what other people say…
Claire Bown, Thinking Museums, Amsterdam
It was an absolute pleasure to work with Louise recently when she taught a masterclass for my membership community of international educators. With her calm, gentle teaching style, Louise has a real talent for combining theory with practice. She is wonderful to work with, has exceptional expertise in her field and is generous in sharing her knowledge.
Manchester International Festival, Manchester
The project went really well. All the schools involved have sent such lovely feedback.
I have specific feedback from one school involved that they really loved your exercises and would use them again!
Stasys Museum, Panevėžys
We enjoyed your training tremendously, both in the role of participants and in the role of facilitators. It was a pleasant and relaxing time for us and at the same time we picked up a wealth of practical tips and tricks. I think you really embody what you teach, and this shows in the way you were holding space for us, with kind voice, gentle yet firm guidance, with clear boundary informed communication. We learnt a ton of useful things.
Ingrid Barreneche, Artist
Your leadership in integrating mindfulness into the museum experience sets a commendable example for institutions worldwide. You are paving the way for more inclusive and supportive cultural spaces. Thank you for your dedication to this pivotal work.
Host Manager, Moderna Museet, Stockholm
Very educational, good pace, easy to grasp. All around well presented and very useful, a training sessio every department who meets or is engaged with the public should have to take. Big thank you, it definitely has helped us start our journey in the right direction.
Tamsin Silvey, Director of Creative Programmes, Koestler Art, London
I wanted to say a massive thank you for delivering Trauma Informed Training to us. I’ve already had brilliant feedback from the team and staff are thinking about small adjustments for our curators next week. Thank you for your sensitive delivery and taking the time to make this relevant to Koestler Arts and our work.
Every museum and gallery can use their art and objects to improve people’s health. And every museum should.
My instagram
see what I’ve been up to recently follow me @mindful_museums
Louise Thompson 