Display candidate transaction variables for article
| Id | 183 | |
| Author | Binnie, J. | |
| Title | Does Viewing Art in the Museum Reduce Anxiety and Improve Wellbeing? | |
| Reference | Binnie, J. (2010). Does Viewing Art in the Museum Reduce Anxiety and Improve Wellbeing? Museums & Social Issues, 5(2), 191–201. |
Link to article | https://doi.org/10.1179/msi.2010.5.2.191 |
| Abstract | This article presents research conducted within Leicester’s New Walk Museum exploring whether viewing art within the museum impacts reported anxiety. The two studies discussed here are part of a PhD project looking at perception and expe- rience of art within the museum, and how this can influence wellbeing and affective responses. The first study looked at the responses of museum staff, while the second compared those of frequent and infrequent museum visitors. The article focuses on self-reported data collected using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory as well as through semi-structured inter- views. Participants reported a reduction in anxiety levels from their trait level after viewing the art; however, this amount dif- fered for each participant group. |
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| While there were several restrictions within these studies, they do illustrate that a decrease in perceived anxiety from the stresses of everyday life can be experienced. . | For many people working within the cultural sector, this belief is the motivating factor behind their commitment to their work. . | Discussion From the data collected within these two studies it appears that, at least for the museum visiting population, viewing art within a museum does have a positive impact upon anxiety, and thus also wellbeing. . | This positive experience for museums and art gallery visitors suggests that as well as being seen as educational or enjoyable places to visit, that the well-known idea that they are spaces of calm within a busy world can be true and as such museums and art galleries can be seen as places beneficial to personal wellbeing.. | One type of response which is of particular interest within this research is that of a sense of relaxation, calming and the reduction of anxiety. . | With the multitude of possible influential factors it was assumed that using a variety of methods to investigate this would provide a more holistic view of experiencing art in the museum. . | One example given by a staff participant was of a visitor inspired to make some alterations to their life due to a specific exhibition which they had seen at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery. . | One participant from this group, said that if someone is able to connect with the art then it probably would, which suggests that the visitors feeling of how well they understand the artwork, or are able to find meaning in it, is an important factor in feeling comfortable and satisfied with the experience. . |
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