ZURICH.- Kunsthaus Zürich is broadening its mission beyond exhibitions, presenting a growing program of initiatives that use art as a tool for health, inclusion and social participation.

The museum said its work increasingly focuses on the idea that art can do more than inspire. Through programs that connect visual art with medicine, movement, music, aging, disability access and youth support, Kunsthaus Zürich is positioning itself as a public space where people can meet, reflect and take part in creative experiences.

At the center of this approach is a belief that museums can serve society not only by preserving and displaying art, but also by creating meaningful encounters. The Kunsthaus is developing projects that invite visitors of different ages, abilities and life situations to engage with art in ways that support personal expression, well-being and community.

One of the museum’s key new initiatives is art.in, a program designed for young people experiencing personal crises. Developed with the Children Action Foundation and PUK-Life, the crisis intervention service for adolescents at the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, the project uses art, dance and music to help participants build confidence and explore new perspectives. The workshops are based on the Artopie model in Geneva and also draw on expertise from Zurich Opera House.

The Kunsthaus is also working directly in healthcare settings. In partnership with Zurich Children’s Hospital, the museum developed workshops for young patients. The first project, launched in 2025 with artist Monster Chetwynd, brought a performative and creative experience to children and teenagers at the Affoltern rehabilitation clinic. The program transformed the hospital environment into a space for making, experimenting and shared enjoyment.

Other long-running programs focus on people with dementia. Since 2012, Awakened Art Stories has invited participants to create stories and poems inspired by works of art. Rather than emphasizing memory, the program centers on shared experience, imagination and conversation. It was developed with the University of Zurich’s Center for Gerontology and its research program on healthy aging.

For people living with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, the museum offers Connect, a dance-based format that combines movement, music and visual art. The initiative, created with partners including Zurich Opera House and the Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich, is led by professional dance practitioners and sometimes includes live music from the Tonhalle Orchestra. The program aims to support movement, confidence and psychosocial well-being.

Accessibility is another major part of the museum’s work. Special guided tours for visitors with visual impairments use language, touch and selected materials to make art more directly accessible. In some cases, participants are able to carefully feel sculptures and explore their form, texture and material qualities.

The Kunsthaus is also developing programs for young people with refugee and migration backgrounds, special-needs classes, families and older adults. A new format called EinzigART, designed for people with cognitive impairments, is scheduled to begin in autumn 2026.

The museum’s exhibition program also reflects these themes. Past shows such as Take Care: Art and Medicine, Marina Abramović. Retrospective and Lygia Clark explored connections between art, the body, perception and healing. Upcoming exhibitions, including projects devoted to Wolfgang Laib and a double presentation of Maria Lassnig and Edvard Munch opening on October 2, 2026, will continue to examine inner and outer worlds of experience.

Kunsthaus Zürich is also participating in Arts+Health, a Zurich-based initiative that brings together medicine, the arts and architecture. The project is still being developed, with participating institutions exploring future collaborations, organizational structures and funding models. Its first joint launch event is scheduled for May 20, 2026, at Kunsthaus Zürich and is already fully booked.

Together, these initiatives show a museum expanding the meaning of public service. For Kunsthaus Zürich, art is not an isolated experience inside galleries, but a way to foster encounter, participation and change in society.