Photograph by Ted Pio Roda Photography
Anyone who’s a fan of art museums agrees—they’re good for the soul. But how exactly can a visit to a museum boost our well-being, and what can museums do to foster that connection? These questions are at the heart of a new research project underway at the High Museum of Art.
The two-year research project, which runs through December 2026, is a partnership with Brenau University, located in Gainesville, Georgia. Throughout the study, researchers will study how visiting an art museum can impact the social, emotional, spiritual and even physical states of different kinds of people. The findings from this study could serve as a foundation for future research and policy initiatives aimed at integrating art into broader well-being strategies.
Leading this initiative are Dr. Andrew Westover, Eleanor M. Storza Deputy Director for Learning and Civic Engagement, and Julia Forbes, Associate Director of Institutional Research at the High Museum. In collaboration with Dr. Barbara Steinhaus, an arts and health expert from Brenau University, the team will examine the role of museums in creating meaningful social bonds.
“This research grant expands the High’s capacity as a knowledge-building institution,” says Westover. “In our current moment, ‘well-being’ is used to mean many different things, sometimes contradicting one another. Our goal is to establish a more precise definition based on observation and data, rather than relying on predetermined assumptions.”
The study will not only engage participants from varied backgrounds but will also provide hands-on research opportunities for Brenau University students, who will be trained to collect data alongside the High Museum staff. Data collection is set to begin in late summer 2025 and will continue through the end of the year, with a sample size of over 500 participants.
Throughout 2026, the research team at the High—working alongside collaborators from Brenau—will analyze the data, compile their findings, and share insights with professionals in education, visual arts, museum studies, and public health. The study’s outcomes will also be made accessible to the broader public, furthering conversations on the intersection of art, community, and civic engagement.
Julia Forbes, associate director of institutional research at the High, says the study’s findings could have significant implications for policymakers and funders. “We anticipate that our research will provide a data-driven rationale for how visual art museums contribute to individual growth and interpersonal development,” she says. “By sharing our findings with policymakers, we hope to advance resource allocation for the arts, inspire further research, and strengthen civic engagement.”
Beyond academic and policy circles, the High Museum hopes that this research will directly impact its visitors by informing future programming. Museum staff plans to use the findings to develop new art initiatives aimed at maximizing the benefits of art engagement for diverse audiences.
Studies have shown that engaging with art can significantly improve well-being. Research from the World Health Organization found that participating in the arts can reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and even lower the risk of depression. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology revealed that individuals who engage with visual art report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction.
The High Museum has long recognized the transformative power of art, leading initiatives to make fine art more accessible to all. Over the past few years, the museum has expanded free programming, introduced evening events, and diversified its collection to better reflect Atlanta’s communities. Programs like Access for All, Oasis, and UPS Second Sundays have opened doors for audiences of all backgrounds to engage meaningfully with art.
Rand Suffolk, the High Museum’s director, says such research is important for understanding the civic impact of the arts. “[Our research] will help quantify how art museums can impact individuals and communities in profound ways,” says Suffolk.
“Rand Suffolk, the High Museum’s director, says such studies are important for understanding the civic impact of the arts. “Our research will help quantify how art museums can impact individuals and communities in profound ways,” says Suffolk.
“While scholars have started exploring these topics, few studies of this nature have been conducted in art museums—especially in the Southeast. This project offers a rare opportunity to break new ground.”
