Health and Wellness for People 65 and Older at the MMFA

The Michel de la Chenelière International Atelier for Education and Art Therapy at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has welcomed up until now 6,500 participants in its Thursdays at the Museum programme for people aged 65 and older, which is part of its health and wellness programme

Thursdays at the Museum****− This innovative programme, which was created with the support of partner Réseau Sélection, gives them free access to a variety of activities: guided or unguided tours of the collections as well as art workshops with Museum mediators. Since it was launched in October 2015, this programme, which was created with the support of partner Réseau Sélection, a Quebec leader in seniors’ residences, has been enjoying growing success, especially through partnerships with FADOQ, AQRP and ARC. Art is good for you, regardless of your age!

“Our day-to-day work consists in creating memorable experiences. Seeing the positive impact of the Thursdays at the Museum on participants, we can definitely say, ‘mission accomplished,’” said Isabelle Dessureault, vice-president, marketing and public affairs, at Réseau Sélection. “Our seniors are invaluable resources, and we have a great deal to learn from them. We just have to listen to them and make them feel valued, which is what we are doing with this activity. Bravo to all 6,500 participants!

Through art, it is indeed possible to continue growing, learning, discovering and sharing after age 65, as can be seen every Thursday at the Museum.

Thursdays at the Museum

Awakening curiosity, learning about art and spending time together: these are the main aims of Thursdays at the Museum. The workshops are open to all skill levels and take place in a relaxed atmosphere geared to the needs of today’s seniors. They are aimed at familiarizing participants with a variety of techniques such as clay modelling, palette-knife painting and watercolour, as well as introducing them to our collection of world cultures, for example, the traditional Japanese art of suminagashi, the Middle Eastern collection with the creation of traditional lanterns, and the decorative art collections with painting on fabric. Thursdays at the Museum benefits from unique collaboration between the MMFA and LES GRANDS BALLETS CANADIENS

The MMFA announces its new partnership with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal (GBCM) that will offer visitors aged 65 and over experiences in dance among the works of art.

In addition to the activities already offered, there will be a series of tours involving movement and dance, under the supervision of professionals from the MMFA and the GBC. Participants will encouraged to explore movement inspired by themes and works in the Museum’s collection, and by performances by Les Grands Ballets presented throughout the year.

With this programme, the Museum is also getting involved in the realm of health. “Art is a powerful means of preventing some of the most common diseases in this population. We will continue to expand this promising avenue with our new health and wellness programme, established this year with support from the Rossy Family Foundation,” explained Thomas Bastien, Interim Director of the Education and Wellness Division at the MMFA.

This workshop can accommodate twenty people and will be presented on the last Thursday of every other month, starting July 27. Participants in the activities will also receive a discount on GBCM productions during the regular season.

Thursdays at the Museum: visitors aged 65 and older can enjoy the Museum’s permanent collection free of charge on Thursdays throughout the year.