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August 03 2025
By Manuel Charr
Since its launch in 2021, the Museums & Wellness Summit has become the leading international event exploring the vital connection between museums and wellbeing. Returning online on 23–24 April 2026, the summit provides museum professionals with flexible access to learning—live or on-demand—making it easy to fit professional development into busy schedules.
Over the years, the event has featured expert contributions from world-renowned institutions including the V&A, the National Museum of Singapore, MO Museum, Musea Brugge, Historic Royal Palaces, the Van Gogh Museum, the Getty, and the Brooklyn Museum. Their insights, alongside those of smaller organisations, have ensured that the summit balances visionary thinking with practical museum health case studies.
The 2026 programme will highlight innovative museum wellness programmes that address pressing challenges in society. Past events have highlighted cultural wellbeing initiatives ranging from dementia-friendly projects to community partnerships tackling loneliness, as well as programmes designed to provide respite for frontline healthcare workers. As MuseumNext founder Jim Richardson noted:
“From working with those with dementia to tackling loneliness, to offering respite to doctors, museums are doing a huge amount of work in the wellness space.”
Delegates consistently highlight the inspiration gained from this summit, with one past participant commenting:
“I’m always impressed and inspired by the presentations shared at the Museums & Wellness Summit.”
By showcasing museums as spaces for wellbeing, the Museums & Wellness Summit 2026 underlines the sector’s ability to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. For museum professionals committed to supporting healthier, more connected communities, this is a vital event not to be missed.
The Museums & Wellness Summit will take place online on 28 – 29 January 2026.
About the author – Manuel Charr
Manuel Charr is a journalist working in the arts and cultural sectors. With a background in marketing, Manuel is drawn to arts organizations which are prepared to try inventive ways to reach new audiences.
