PROGETTO MINERVA | Lo studio
The study and results of the innovative MINERVA project, promoted by the Palazzo Maffei Museum in Verona in collaboration with the WHO Center for Mental Health Research at the University of Verona, have been published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology.
This pioneering and unique research in Italy confirms the positive impact of artistic experiences in museums on the psychological well-being of the general population. The findings of the MINERVA project highlight the value of museums as spaces for public health and the potential of art as a resource to be integrated into strategies for promoting mental well-being.
“These data confirm that art can represent a tangible resource for public health,” explains Prof. Nosè. “The MINERVA project opens up innovative research perspectives that combine culture and health on a solid scientific basis. Our commitment is to continue with larger studies and randomized study designs, strengthening collaboration between cultural and healthcare institutions, so that this potential can be translated into stable policies for promoting well-being.”
“‘We believe in art’ is one of the phrases we placed on the walls at the end of the Palazzo Maffei journey,” comments Vanessa Carlon. “We firmly believe in the power of art, both for its therapeutic potential and its value in education and personal growth. Thanks to the MINERVA project, further data have been collected to support this vision—the same vision that led my father to found Palazzo Maffei and that guides us every day in promoting educational, inclusive, and supportive initiatives for those in need. The social role of the museum goes hand in hand with its cultural role, and it deserves careful reflection.”
Finally, the value of the MINERVA project has received further recognition at the European level.
In the recent European Commission report “Culture and Health. Time to act”, which focuses on the role of the arts in health, the project was cited as a model of good practice, being the only Italian initiative mentioned. This is a prestigious confirmation of the quality of the work carried out and of the potential of this approach.