Walking, Observing, and Sharing: 'One Step into the Art Museum'
Promoting Vitality in Life for Adults Aged 50 and Older
Programs for Seniors with Cognitive Impairments
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art announced on the 22nd that it will run two programs aimed at middle-aged and older adults: 'One Step into the Art Museum' and 'Daily Praise: Creating the Museum Together.'
'One Step into the Art Museum' in progress. Courtesy of National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul
'One Step into the Art Museum' is structured around 'walking, appreciating, and conversing.' Guided by an educational instructor, participants take a stroll while listening to stories about the history and architecture of the Seoul branch, which has stood on its site for over 150 years. This is followed by a tour of either the permanent exhibition 'Highlights of Korean Modern Art' or the 'Kim Tschang-Yeul' exhibition. The program concludes with participants sharing their impressions from the day. Since March, the program has been held more than three times a week until November, with approximately 750 people participating over 50 sessions so far.
Each session is limited to 15 participants, and any adult aged 50 or older is eligible to join. Applications for the November 2025 sessions can be made free of charge through the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art website starting at 10 a.m. on October 28.
'Daily Praise: Creating the Museum Together' is a program designed to foster emotional exchange and cognitive activation for seniors with cognitive impairments and their families. Since signing their first business agreement in 2015, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Korean Dementia Association have worked together each year to support cultural and artistic experiences and daily life recovery for seniors with cognitive impairments. The program consists of 'appreciation, expressive activities, and walking.' After appreciating major works from 'Highlights of Korean Modern Art,' participants engage in creative activities using art materials.
This program focuses on encouraging participants and their families to express what they see and feel at the museum together. Notably, this year the program will expand beyond Seoul. A total of 120 people are expected to participate in six sessions, held at six dementia care centers in Incheon and Gyeonggi Province (Siheung, Pocheon, Yeoju, Incheon Seo-gu, Incheon Metropolitan, and Incheon Union) by October 30. Applications for participation can be made through these six dementia care centers.
Kim Sunghee, Director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, stated, "We hope that the middle-aged and older generations will become active cultural enjoyers in our society, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art will continue to be a space that shares the healing value of art with the local community."
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