Artful Moments: Shared Learning
An online learning program developed by the Art Gallery of Hamilton
Through Artful Moments: Shared Learning the Art Gallery of Hamilton strives to encourage and support other museums in creating programs for people living with dementia that are engaging, inclusive and meaningful.
Getting Started
Artful Moments: Shared Learning was built to support organizations in creating programs of their own for people living with dementia. We combine the expertise and lived-experience of museum educators, health care professionals, and people living with dementia to provide relevant and proven guidance for museums with an array of collections and activities.
We’re excited to take you through our 6-module eLearning program and provide you with the knowledge required to implement your own person-centred program. This program is based on our own experiences, and shares the learning and ideas that we have found most successful.
A Person-Centred Vision
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, communication skills, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that become severe enough to interfere with daily life. It describes a set of symptoms that can be caused by different illnesses, the most common being Alzheimer’s Disease.
Dementia affects everyone differently but there are changes that occur as it progresses including impacts on memory, a person’s ability to manage their day-to-day activities, their communication, and their moods.
It is important to remember that each person who is living with dementia is unique. Their strengths, abilities and the impacts that dementia has are different for each person, as is their story and identity. It is important centre the participants in your work.
Helpful Support
This platform is designed to be flexible and adaptable to your needs, whether you’re starting from the very beginning, selectively reviewing content, or you have existing knowledge are looking to build upon it.
It can also be used to troubleshoot issues once a program has begun, and even train staff and facilitators.
We’re here to support you. We’ve created AM: Shared Learning to be a useful resource all on its own. We also love to connect with colleagues to explore ideas together.
With support from Canada Council for the Arts Sector Innovation Fund, we’re offering a new coaching initiative to museums across Canada starting in 2026. Learn More Below.
Meet the Team
Our program would not exist without the care, compassion, and dedication of our wonderful team.
Please click here to learn more.
Including the voices and contributions of people with lived experience of dementia in our work is essential to us. We are actively seeking people living with dementia and family/friend care partners to connect with us about current and future work.
Introducing Learning Modules
Module 1: Dementia and Museums
Understand the philosophy and impact of Artful Moments, as well as how to use this website to develop your own program.
Module 2: Understanding the Participant
Understand the impact of dementia on a person and how the changes in the brain that are caused by dementia can affect their participation in an Artful Moments-style program.
Module 3: Understanding Environment
Learn how to apply your knowledge of dementia to create a program environment that maximizes the safety, accessibility, and comfort of your participants and facilitators in order to promote engagement and wellbeing.