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’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.
Meaningful engagement and social connection are what programming aims to provide for participants, using museum collections to inspire conversation, sharing, and creative pursuits.

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.
Meet the Team
Our program would not exist without the care, compassion, and dedication of our wonderful team.
If you would like to learn a little bit more about them, feel free to click here.

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.