Mississippi Museum of Art

The Mississippi Museum of Art will address the critical need for mental health support by producing a community driven exhibition, accompanying public programming, and by deepening ongoing art therapeutic, institutional partnerships. Anchored by an exhibition exploring the historical treatment of mental health in Mississippi, the museum will partner with the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s (UMMC) Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities and a community advisory council to develop interpretive elements and related programs. Activities will include an artist residency; a digital storytelling portal; an exhibition opening symposium; arts education curriculum and teacher training; and multi-generational public programming. Targeting families within the metropolitan area that are dealing with mental health issues or access, medical practitioners, students at UMMC, and the larger community, the partners will develop an art therapy program and measure its effects on participants’ overall mental health.