Museums supporting wellbeing and resilience: Day two at the NEMO European Museum Conference

Caring collaborations across sectors

After a coffee break, the morning continued with a panel on collaborations across sectors, moderated by Nils Fietje, WHO – World Health Organisation. The discussion brought together perspectives from cultural and healthcare sectors to explore how partnerships can evolve from inspiring projects into sustainable infrastructure.

Helen Chatterjee, University College London, joined digitally to share insights into how cultural initiatives, especially in museums, can enhance wellbeing and reduce inequalities through evidence-based integration into health systems. Inga Surgunte, Latvian Academy of Culture, highlighted the opportunities and challenges of museum and health sector collaborations, stressing the need for supportive policies and sustainable frameworks. Pia Wiborg Astrup, Region Midtjylland, emphasised the importance of embedding cultural health initiatives into long-term healthcare strategies to address demographic and mental health challenges.

Breakout sessions: Practical approaches to wellbeing

In the afternoon, participants were welcome to join one of several workshops or a slam presentation, each offering practical tools and reflections on wellbeing in museum practice:

• Andrea Plunkett, National Gallery of Ireland, introduced the Cultural Art Therapy programme 'No Words', using museum collections as catalysts for therapeutic engagement with vulnerable audiences.
• Irena Mijatovic, Project lead of the Kollwitz Avatar at the Käthe-Kollwitz-Museum Berlin, shared how AI-driven avatars can offer emotional support and empathetic experiences in museums.
• Chryssa Bourbou, Estelle De Bruyn, and Irene Mangion, all members of the NEMO Working Group Sustainability and Climate Action, examined how museums can address climate-related anxiety and inspire hope through programming.
• Sabine Doolin and Robert Sadleir of QWB Lab presented a wellbeing-based framework for measuring and communicating museums’ societal impact.
• Jolien Posthumus, Museum Consultant Art & Mental Health and Trauma-sensitive Mindfulness Therapist, shared her methodology for integrating trauma-sensitive mindfulness into museum-based art experiences.
• Moderated by Heledd Ruddigkeit (NEMO), the fast-paced slam presentation ‘Care to share’ brought together museum professionals from across Europe to share creative, hands-on approaches to mental health, inclusion, and emotional wellbeing in museums. Contributors included Isabelle Vanhoonacker (Museum of Fine Arts), Holly Power (V&A), Rachel Tranter (GEM – Group for Education in Museums), Johanna Rassi and Tuuli Uusikukka (Museo Leikki), Kadri Toomsalu (Tartu Toy Museum), Annick Born (ICOM Wallonia-Brussels), and Goran Vujkov (The Gallery of Matica Srpska).

Cultures of care: Play, resilience, and organisational wellbeing

Later, the conference turned its attention to cultures of care, exploring how cultural institutions and creative industries foster wellbeing and resilience. The session opened with a playful and practical activity led by Mads Lemvigh Fog and Lisette de Jonge from the LEGO Group, who introduced the concept of ‘Learning Through Play’ as a core element of workplace wellbeing. Participants reflected on how playfulness can enhance creativity, connection, and resilience in professional environments.

This interactive experience led into the panel discussion ‘Building resilience – Toward a culture of care’, moderated by Vera Carasso, NEMO Board Member. The panel brought together voices from museums, academia, and the creative sector to share strategies for embedding care into organisational cultures.

Lisette de Jonge (LEGO Group) shared data-driven approaches to workplace wellbeing and leadership cultures that prioritise care. Josefa Kny, betterplace-lab, joined digitally to present findings from research on making organisational resilience tangible in non-profit networks. Nuala Morse, University of Leicester, explored the implications of museum professionals delivering health programmes and the need to support their wellbeing. Ana Acosta, Casa Batlló, described how non-violent communication and inclusive structures have transformed staff wellbeing and deepened institutional resilience.

Closing reflections and farewell

The day concluded with a wrap-up session, reflecting on the insights and connections made throughout the conference. In the evening, participants gathered for a final reception and seated dinner at Comwell Bygholm Park, where Petra Havu, Chair of NEMO, offered some closing remarks and a warm farewell - until the next conference in 2026 from 11-13 October in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Post-conference museum highlights: A cultural tour of Aarhus

Although the official programme wrapped up, the conference spirit carried on into the next day, 29 October, as a group of participants joined an optional cultural tour to explore some of Aarhus’ most inspiring museums. The tour offered participants to experience more of Denmark’s cultural landscape beyond Horsens.

The day began with a visit to the thought-provoking Museum Ovartaci, followed by a short introduction to ARoS. From there, attendees were free to explore ARoS, Den Gamle By (The Old Town), and KØN – Gender Museum Denmark at their own pace, with complimentary access to all.

The conference is co-organised by NEMO – the Network of European Museum Organisations, Museum Horsens, and the Danish Museums Association, with support by Central Denmark Region and European Region of Culture, and thanks to co-funding by the European Union.