Arts and Health

QAGOMA’s Arts and Health program is a human-centric wellbeing model that recognises therapeutic benefits of art, which include promoting mental wellbeing, emotional expression, and social connection.

Through art, we practice care

Psychosocial health is supported through non-clinical or non-pharmacological approaches that are not focused on learning how to draw or paint. Grounded in distinct evidence-based frameworks, community members, practitioners, clinicians, and others learn to ‘see’ and ‘be seen’ by developing presence, connection, and shared understanding within the context of an art gallery setting. We offer programs for people living with dementia, veterans, and clinical practitioners.

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The Art and Dementia Program

QAGOMA’s award-winning and globally recognised flagship wellbeing program supports community members living with dementia and their care partners.

Psychosocial wellbeing outcomes include enhanced quality of life and purposeful activity. The program offers two tailored streams: one for people with young onset dementia (under 65 years); one for people with older age dementia.

‘Thank you for the joy your Art and Dementia program has given to us both’. Program attendees

The Art of Wellness Program

‘The Art of Wellness’ is a pilot program co-designed with-and-for veterans to enhance psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life of veterans impacted by mental health conditions.

This in-gallery program is not just about the art, but equally about using creative and holistic practices to foster resilience, curiosity and community, with a focus on connection, not perfection. 

'The Art of Wellness program really allowed me to disengage from the outside world for a while but also come together as a group of peers.’ Australian Army Veteran.

The Art of Practice Program

‘The Art of Practice’ is an interdisciplinary art museum-based program co-designed with clinical practitioners to cultivate the skills of attention, presence, and shared meaning‑making.

The format involves gallery-based practice in attention, care, and creative intelligence to provide the foundation for enhancing psychosocial and emotional wellbeing and professional insight.

'It was so refreshing to be in the moment. Very useful to broadening skills in interacting with patients’. Specialist Anaesthetist