In recent years, Europe has seen a significant increase in interest in art therapy as a therapeutic effect in clinics and as a part of cultural life.
From Berlin to Barcelona, museum spaces are being transformed into sites for emotional recovery and doctors are starting to “prescribe” visits to museums for patients along with traditional treatment.
Art Therapy in Museums: Berlin as an Example
Between January 2024 to March 2025, a joint project of Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität Berlin and Staatliche Museen zu Berlin held therapeutic workshops in the Altes Museum. Participants practiced the slow looking method: observing paintings, artistic creative interaction, and group conversation.
The project showed a high level of emotional response and an improvement in psychological well-being, especially in the context of a trauma-informed approach.
Art Therapy in Clinics and “Prescriptions” from Doctors
In Neuchâtel, Switzerland, doctors have begun giving patients free visits to museums and botanical gardens as part of a pilot project.
The program supports patients with chronic diseases and burnout, helping them cope with anxiety and stress through cultural experiences.
More than 500 “prescriptions” have already been written by March 2025.
Art Therapy Market and Demand Growth
The global visual art therapy market is estimated at approximately $1.83–1.95 billion by 2025 and demonstrates steady growth to $3–4 billion by 2029–2032 (CAGR ~15–18%).
Clinical observations confirm the effectiveness: 75% of patients report a decrease in anxiety as 70% report an improvement in emotional regulation. Working with trauma is therefore becoming more accessible without drug intervention.
Why Art Therapy Works?
1. Increase in Mental Illness and Anxiety: emotional disorders have been shown to increase with global changes: pandemic, war, economic instability. Art therapy offers an alternative way to express emotions, avoid stigma and stimulate recovery.
2. Integration of Art and Health Sciences: well-known projects such as Wellcome’s Mindscapes instill an evidence-based approach to art therapy, exploring how art builds psychological resilience, especially among young people with depression or anxiety.
3. Institutional Recognition and Professionalisation: in Europe, art therapy has become a recognised field.
Many countries have national associations, training standards, and codes of practice: EFAT unites the European profession of art therapist.
In the UK, the profession has been regulated by law since 1990. In Germany, projects are integrated into clinical practices (DRG systems).
From Berlin to Barcelona and Refugee Clinics
In Barcelona, the Can Framis museum works with special groups, such as visitors with disabilities and migrants, through educational and therapeutic workshops. The museum invites participants to undergo emotional immersion through art and discussion.
In Spain and Switzerland, art therapy is even used to support underage refugees, helping them cope with loss syndrome and migration trauma.
Therapy is therefore being redefined by the very means and spaces patients and their therapists understand it.
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