Neuchâtel: Medical Prescriptions for the Soul Through Art

In the picturesque Swiss city of Neuchâtel, a pioneering initiative is reshaping how health and well-being are approached. Since March 2025, local doctors have been able to prescribe free visits to the city’s museums as part of their patients’ treatment. This two-year pilot program aims to integrate art and culture into therapeutic practices, offering an innovative alternative to enhance both mental and physical health.

Art and Health: A Science-Backed Connection

This initiative is rooted in a 2019 report by the World Health Organization, which highlights how the arts can boost mental health, reduce the impact of trauma, and lower the risk of cognitive decline and premature death. Exposure to art not only relaxes the mind but also involves moderate physical activity—like walking and standing—that contributes to overall wellness.

A Post-Pandemic Response

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the crucial role that cultural spaces play in emotional well-being. During lockdowns, the closure of museums and other cultural venues showed just how much people rely on these spaces. Julie Courcier Delafontaine, a Neuchâtel council member, explained that this realization became a driving force for the program, emphasizing the need to embed culture into public health strategies.

Program Implementation and Scope

So far, around 500 “cultural prescriptions” have been distributed among local physicians. With a modest budget of 10,000 Swiss francs (approximately $11,300), the program covers the cost of entry to four local museums for patients with prescriptions. If successful, the initiative could expand to include other art-related activities such as theater and dance.

Observed Benefits and Testimonials

Healthcare providers have identified a variety of patients who could benefit from this art-based therapy, including those dealing with depression, mobility issues, or chronic illnesses. Dr. Marc-Olivier Sauvain, head of surgery at Neuchâtel’s Hospital Network, has started prescribing museum visits to help improve patients’ physical and mental conditions before surgical procedures. He emphasizes that this practice not only encourages physical movement but also provides emotional and intellectual stimulation.

International Inspiration and Future Outlook

The initiative draws inspiration from a similar program launched in 2019 by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada, which explored art’s therapeutic potential in collaboration with healthcare professionals. The Canadian experience suggests that such programs can significantly enhance well-being. In Neuchâtel, the hope is that positive results will prompt the national health system to formally recognize culture as a valid form of therapy.

Conclusion

Neuchâtel’s integration of art into medicine reflects a holistic approach to health, acknowledging the vital role culture and creativity play in human well-being. By prescribing museum visits, doctors offer not only a therapeutic alternative but also reinforce the bond between the community and its cultural institutions—fostering a healthier and more connected society.