How visiting an exhibition can help with wellbeing

What we did

The exhibition ‘Exploring the Collection: Colours’ in 2025 was used as a chance for Salford Museum and Art Gallery to evidence how visiting an exhibition may influence the mood of the visitor. Various techniques were used to do this including a visitor questionnaire in the form of a colour wheel, a narrated slow looking exercise, and an ideas tree that visitors could contribute to. We worked with two community groups who helped us to devise ways of collecting data and making the space welcoming. Their quotes were also used as the main interpretation for the exhibition.

“Visiting an exhibition isn’t something I would normally do. Today made me feel like I should try new experiences rather than sitting on my arse.”

Based on the NHS five steps to mental wellbeing we provided opportunities for visitors to:

1. Connect- share thoughts and read others or use the social space for a chat
2. Be active- join in with the social media campaign – Salford’s Rainbow!
3. Take notice- use the reflective space and prompts in the gallery
4. Keep learning- try one of the creative activities or come to one of the events or workshops
5. Give- share creative responses in the online exhibition or make a donation

What we found out:

• 81% of visitors felt better as a result of their visit. “Before I am feeling busy and pressured. After I am feeling happy, enriched, connected.”
• Time to interact with art by visiting exhibitions makes people forget themselves for a while and takes away everyday worries. “A moment with no purpose than to just be me.”
• Having a space for visitors to leave their feedback so other people can read it provides a sense of connection, community and inclusiveness. “I looked at the tree and I realised some of those people felt like me and still left optimistic message… for me, for you, for the lonely one…. Not so much anymore  (this person started their visit feeling lonely and finished feeling optimistic and hopeful).”
• Presenting collections in a thematic way is accessible to a variety of audiences. “Colour is an accessible way of looking at paintings and I feel calmer about doing it.” “The opportunity to experience each colour area, observe each colours impact on me and reflection on my life, together with observing display items in each area, has transported my perception of art and its ability to change my mood- thank you so much!”
• Using the community quotes as the main interpretation made people realise that their interpretations of the collections is just as valid as anyone else’s. “Before I felt fairly calm and good. After I am feeling very moved by how the process of the exhibition affected people, especially the man who talked about his blue paintings.” “Interesting facts about colour, that I know my autistic son would find fascinating.”
• The slow looking exercise enabled over 81% of participants to positively change their mood. “before doing the exercise I felt like I wanted to hide, after doing the exercise I feel like I can escape”

What about the community group participants?

We worked with Talk About It Mate (TAIM), a group that focuses on men’s mental health and provides a safe space for men to connect and talk; and Women into Visual Arts and Enterprise (WIVA), a group of women who use art as a cathartic way to learn and express themselves, developing these skills into business opportunities.

64.2% of participants said the sessions improved their wellbeing significantly.

71% of participants said their opinion of Salford Museum and Art Gallery had improved after taking part in the Colours Project.

100% of participants rated the Colours Project 6/10 or above.

“A really enjoyable and thought-provoking experience. Loved the interaction with others in the group and sharing our thoughts and often differing opinions. It was good fun!”

“Really enjoyed the discussions and examining objects chosen for the exhibition. The questionnaire made me think about what I felt about the objects beyond a superficial ‘I like/I don’t like this’.”

” I found the project to be quite original as I haven’t been part of a mindful exercise with paintings and I think it’s quite relatable for people who don’t have art backgrounds. It allows people to contribute to the aesthetic experience and dissolves expectations of elitism that some people have at exhibitions.”

“Valued to be engaged in the project towards a feeling of ownership.”

Photo by Hana Sharkey

What we will take forward:

In future exhibitions our findings from this exhibition will guide the planning and design where relevant. We will:

1. Embed the 5 Ways to Wellbeing. Museums are the perfect place to take notice, connect, learn, give and be active.
2. Build in creative and mindful activities
3. Use social, flexible seating
4. Design for emotional connection
5. Create opportunities for visitors to contribute
6. Embed community voices from the start