What Happens When You Combine Dance, Museum Collections, and Parkinson’s?

Museum professionals know that collections can be a gateways to connection, creativity, and even healing. But what happens when those objects inspire something unexpected, like dance? University of Cambridge Museums (UCM) decided to find out.

Their “Encounters” programme challenges what a museum experience can be. Instead of visitors standing and contemplating, they’re sitting, swaying, and even improvising dance moves. And the participants aren’t typical museum-goers—they’re individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, a condition that affects movement and often limits access to cultural spaces. So, why focus on Parkinson’s, and how is this programme making a difference?

Ruth Clarke from University of Cambridge Museums and Cambridge based dance artist, dance teacher, and creative practitioner Filipa Pereira-Stubbs spoke about the project at the Museums, Health & Well-Being Summit.

Reframing Accessibility

For UCM, inclusion is a commitment across eight museums and a botanic garden. They’ve been exploring “embodied responses” to collections for years, initially through their “Dance in the Museum” initiative. But the Encounters programme takes this a step further, creating an experience tailored for people with Parkinson’s, the fastest-growing neurological condition worldwide.

The idea is simple yet profound: use museum collections as inspiration for movement. The execution, however, is anything but straightforward. Each six-week course takes place at the Junction Arts Centre, chosen for its accessibility and its sprung dance floor—a rarity even in dance-focused venues. Museum staff bring objects to the sessions, share their stories, and work with a dance artist to translate those stories into movement. It’s not just about exercise; it’s about unlocking creativity and connection.

Why Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s presents unique challenges. Symptoms like tremors, freezing, and difficulty initiating movement can be isolating, both socially and physically. Yet Cambridge, a city rich in cultural resources, had little to offer this community. UCM saw an opportunity to fill that gap, leveraging their expertise and partnerships to address not just physical health but emotional wellbeing.

One example? The Sedgwick Museum brought an ammonite fossil to a session. The fossil’s spiral design, combined with its historical link to James Parkinson—the condition’s namesake—sparked both storytelling and movement. Participants mimicked the fossil’s tentacle-like motions, transforming a static object into a dynamic, shared experience.

Moving Beyond Movement

Encounters isn’t about achieving perfect coordination or reaching fitness goals. It’s about meeting participants where they are—physically, emotionally, and creatively. Dance artist Philippa leads the group in exploring what their bodies can do, not what they can’t. Each session ends with discussions, where participants and museum staff share insights, creating a two-way learning experience.

The results? Participants describe the sessions as “invigorating” and “transformative.” For many, it’s the first time in years they’ve felt a sense of control over their movement or experienced true joy in their bodies. It’s not just therapy—it’s community, creativity, and curiosity rolled into one.

Lessons for Museum Professionals

The Encounters programme offers valuable insights for museum professionals. First, accessibility isn’t always about retrofitting buildings or creating digital alternatives; sometimes, it’s about rethinking the experience itself. By bringing collections into an accessible venue, UCM removed barriers that even the most inclusive museums can struggle to address.

Second, collaboration is key. This programme wouldn’t exist without partnerships between museum staff, a dance artist, the Junction Arts Centre, and Parkinson’s UK. It’s a reminder that museums can—and should—reach beyond their own walls to create impact.

Finally, this programme highlights the untapped potential of museum objects. When participants with Parkinson’s interact with a fossil or a musical instrument, they’re not just engaging with history—they’re reimagining their own stories through movement. And isn’t that what museums are all about?

What’s Next?

After two successful pilots, Encounters has a waiting list, a testament to the hunger for programmes like this. UCM plans to expand the initiative, continuing its partnership with the Junction Arts Centre and exploring how museums can further support the Parkinson’s community.

For museum professionals, Encounters is a call to action. It challenges us to think beyond traditional programming and consider how museums can meet people where they are—whether that’s through dance, storytelling, or something entirely unexpected.

So, what happens when you combine dance, museum collections, and Parkinson’s? You get more than movement. You get transformation.