Beirut National Museum
It
HAS OFTEN BEEN assumed that the value of a museum, any museum, resides in its tangible holdings such as its collections, buildings, and exhibitions. However, as described and documented in detail 1, the true value of a museum lies not in these tangible elements of the museum but rather in its intangible elements, in particular the experiences the museum creates for its visitors; the more visitors, the greater the value. Recent research documents that museum users derive significant benefits from visiting museums, and these benefits, including learning, inspiration, personal reflection, social interactions, civic pride, physical and mental rejuvenation, are widely perceived and highly valued. 2
Places such as art, history, natural history and science museums are extraordinary settings, affording opportunities for people to see and do things entirely out of the ordinary. Museums are physically unique settings filled with rare and valuable things completely outside of most people’ s daily experiences. Museums are also one of those rare settings that allow users to discover and learn new things about themselves, their friends, and the broader world. Museum experiences are also notable because typically, users have tremendous choice and control over what they get to see and do. The visitor gets to choose what to focus on and who they get to have this experience with. Having the agency to see and do these fundamental, mind- and soul-enhancing types of things, things that make one feel like one has done something truly special, results in perceptions of meaningfulness.
The term that I believe best captures these diverse positive perceptions of meaningfulness is well-being.
MUSEUMS AND WELL-BEING
A wide range of research has shown that when people reflect back on their museum experiences, days, weeks and even years later, the benefits they describe can be summarized as falling into four distinct areas of enhanced well-being: 3
PERSONAL WELL-BEING museums catalyze awe and wonder. They also support feelings of personal connectedness, appreciation, belonging and harmony with the human and natural world; all in ways that people find engaging and enjoyable.
INTELLECTUAL WELL-BEING museums help people more clearly comprehend how their past understandings and activities connect, they foster interest and stimulate curiosity about humans past and present, and under the best of circumstances, serve as guides to a better, more informed and creative future.
SOCIAL WELL-BEING museums are social spaces that support feelings of belonging to family, group, and community, and do so in ways that bestow the visitor with a high degree of status and respect; and,
PHYSICAL WELL-BEING museums are perceived as safe, healthy and restorative environments that allow people to gather, interact, explore, play and enjoy without fear or anxiety.
Photo( top left): Nabil Ismail
24 MATAHEF ISSUE 01