Art and Dementia Research

Group seated in front of colourful artwork with staff member standing and gesturing.

An Art Gallery Access Programme for people with dementia: ‘You do it for the moment’

In 2007 the Gallery established its internationally acclaimed Art and Dementia program with the support of a now widely influential research project conducted by researcher, Sarah MacPherson, clinical psychologist Dr Mike Bird et al at the Australian National University.

Psychophysiological Responses in People Living with Dementia after an Art Gallery Intervention: An Exploratory Study

In 2018, the Gallery collaborated with University of Canberra doctoral candidate Nathan D’Cunha to study salivary cortisol levels, a primary marker of stress, for participants of the program. D’Cunha’s ground-breaking study demonstrated that attendance of the Gallery’s Art and Dementia program provided a range of benefits including improvements in quality of life, wellbeing, and cognitive performance, and a reduction in depressive symptoms for people living with dementia.

Taking art and creativity online, Australian Journal of Dementia Care

Adriane Boag and researchers from the University of Canberra share the story of how the National Gallery’s popular Art and Dementia program successfully moved online during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021 – offering insights for other arts and cultural organisations looking to develop similar programs for people living with dementia.

Related

Art and Dementia
Making It

A series of online creative workshops for people living with dementia and their care partners.

Collection Display

Richard Lewer: Steve

Upcoming

From Dec 2025

Richard Lewer’s Steve is a gentle exploration of the complexity of a family coming to terms with a dementia diagnosis.

Research Projects

Photograph of man sitting and woman standing looking at artmaking

The Gallery collaborates with university and industry partners on research projects that extend our understanding of art and its importance to life.

Art Weekends

Two young people sit either side of an easel in a gallery space

Kick back with the National Gallery and enjoy your weekend in style with art, film, storytelling and special accessible events.

For people with access needs

Photograph of man sitting and woman standing looking at artmaking

We provide a range of free programs that are designed for and with people with disability and access needs.

About faces
Create a face with geometry.

Join our online art workshop for people with dementia, create a face with geometry.

Sharing water
Fold a bowl to hold.

Join our online art workshop for people with dementia, mimic the flow of water and create a paper bowl.

For people who are Blind or with low vision

Photograph of two visitors facing artworks with companion dog by side

A suite of access programs for people who are Blind or with low vision.

For people who are deaf or hard of hearing

Photograph of group in front of artwork

Each month join an Auslan sign-interpreted tour of major exhibitions or works of art in the Gallery’s collection.

For people with disability

A group of people and two guide dogs sit looking at sculptures of humans woven with native grasses

Each quarter people with disabilities and their families and carers can join a small group tour of major exhibitions or the national collection.