Vancouver Art Gallery Launches Art Prescriptions for Wellbeing
The Vancouver Art Gallery has launched the Art of Wellbeing Lab, a project that promotes social prescribing in partnership with PaRx, Canada’s nature prescription program overseen by the BC Parks Foundation. This allows doctors registered with PaRx to recommend visits to the gallery’s Emily Carr exhibition for patients and a guest, aimed at enhancing social bonds. The initiative was revealed on World Health Day, April 7, and is rooted in the personal journeys of interim co-CEO Sirish Rao and Lead Wellbeing Consultant Paula Toledo. Visitors are greeted by Indigenous weavers and receive a guide for exploring the exhibition. Supported by donor Dave Richardson and Dr. Melissa Lem, the program highlights the link between art and healing, with growing interest from healthcare professionals.
Key facts
- The Vancouver Art Gallery launched the Art of Wellbeing Lab, a social prescribing initiative.
- The programme partners with PaRx, Canada's national nature prescription programme run by the BC Parks Foundation.
- Doctors registered with PaRx can prescribe visits to the gallery's Emily Carr exhibition.
- Each prescription covers the recipient and a guest to ensure social connection.
- The programme launched on World Health Day, 7 April.
- Sirish Rao is interim co-CEO and Director of the Art of Wellbeing Lab.
- Paula Toledo is Lead Wellbeing Consultant and founder of Ode to Wonder.
- The welcome wall was created by Indigenous weavers from the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations.
- Dr. Melissa Lem, co-founder of PaRx, is the healthcare collaborator.
- Dave Richardson, founder of the Stigma-Free Society, is the donor.
- Elder in Residence Skwetsimeltxw Willard (Buddy) Joseph provided Indigenous perspective.
- Rao and Toledo presented at the MuseumNext Museums & Wellness Summit 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Emily Carr
- Skwetsimeltxw Willard (Buddy) Joseph
Institutions
- Vancouver Art Gallery
- PaRx
- BC Parks Foundation
- Stigma-Free Society
- Ode to Wonder
- MuseumNext
Locations
- Vancouver
- Canada
- British Columbia