Art Rx

Supporting patients with chronic pain, and pallative caregivers

You and your family, friends, and caregivers are invited to visit the Crocker Art Museum to explore the wonders of art and the creative mind. Enjoy the simple pleasures that come from discovering inspiring works of art as a trained guide leads you through facilitated group conversations about select pieces of art. No prior art knowledge is necessary.

After the tour, you are welcome to stay and enjoy the Crocker galleries on your own, or simply relax in the Museum’s courtyard.

The goal of Art Rx is to encourage positive experiences that reduce the burden of chronic pain through specialized tours of the museum and facilitated discussion. The program is free and open to any individual with chronic pain. In addition, participants are encouraged to invite family members, friends, and caregivers to attend free of charge.


Tours take place every 2nd Saturday from
11 AM – 12:30 PM
(please arrive 15 – 30 minutes prior for check-in):

September 14, 2019 The Power of the Abstract
October 12, 2019 The Beauty and Light of Dutch Landscapes
November 9, 2019

When I Remember I See Red: American Indian Art and Activism in California
December 14, 2019 California Impressionism

Advanced registration is required.
Register online at crockerart.org, or by emailing education@crockerart.org.
Call (916) 808-1182 with any questions.

What people are saying about Art Rx:

 Individuals in pain

  • "I'm looking at art and ... I am no longer in my body; I am in a place of connection."
  • "If you're involved and doing things with people, you're not shut in; you're not focused on the pain."

 Healthcare providers

  • "The most appealing part [of Art Rx] to me is breaking down the isolation that is inherent in chronic illness and pain; that I can't usually do."

 Museum professionals

  • "The idea of, in my job, having some small role in making [Art Rx participants'] lives a little bit better ... felt so innovative and exciting."

Academic Articles:

The Art of Analgesia: A Pilot Study of Art Museum Tours to Decrease Pain and Social Disconnection Among Individuals with Chronic Pain Published in Pain Medicine

Curating Care: The Design and Feasibility of a Partnership Between an Art Museum and an Academic Pain Center Published in Curator: The Museum Journal

Press:

The Art of Pain Relief: How museums may help address chronic pain

Art and Pain: Researchers from UC Davis are collaborating with the Crocker Art Museum to relieve chronic pain.

Art Tours Tied to Easing of Chronic Pain; Reuters

Healing Gallery: Can Fine Art Help Mitigate Physical Pain? A Free Crocker Program Aims to Find Out; Sacramento News & Review

Ian Koebner, PhD, MSc, MAOM, L.Ac
Email:  ikoebner@ucdavis.edu
Telephone:  916-734-6792
Director, Integrative Pain Management
Assistant Professor 
UC Davis Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Free for everyone. Advanced registration is required. Register online at crockerart.org, or by emailing education@crockerart.org. Call (916) 808-1962 with any questions.