“Musing Together: Finding the Intersection between Art and Health” with Virginia Shearer

Virginia Shearer, the Eleanor McDonald Storza Director of Education at the High Museum of Art, has more than 20 years of experience in museum education. Ms. Shearer oversees all areas of the High’s Department of Education, where she focuses on creating a platform for engagement and connectivity that extends the museum’s reach and deepens the High’s relationships with the Atlanta community through experimental, collaborative, and research-based practice. Since joining the High in 2005, she has initiated, led, and participated in cross-institutional initiatives that are key to the museum’s future, including such innovative projects as the High’s summer piazza activation commission series, the newly designed Greene Family Learning Gallery, and a series of popular exhibitions focused on children’s picture book art.
From 2005 to 2012, Ms. Shearer served as the High’s Associate Director of Education, leading the Museum’s public programs team during a period of significant growth that included opening the Greene Family Education Center as a part of the Renzo Piano–designed expansion project, the Louvre Atlanta partnership, and the development of successful young audience initiatives, including the inaugural Teen Team program. She previously served as the Deputy Director for Education and Public Programs at the Tampa Museum of Art and as the Director of Education at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Early in her career, Ms. Shearer coordinated the ImaginAsia family program for the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution.
Ms. Shearer served as the Southeastern Regional Director for the Museum Education Division of the National Art Education Association from 2004 through 2006. In 2012, Ms. Shearer was selected as one of 25 museum professionals from around the world to participate in the prestigious Getty Leadership Institute program Museum Leaders: The Next Generation. She also participated in the Getty Leadership Institute’s Executive Education Program for Museum Leaders in 2014 and returned to the program as a mentor in 2016.
Ms. Shearer holds a B.A. (1992) in Humanities from Florida State University and a M.A.T. (1997) in Museum Education from The George Washington University.

This week we talk about the intersection between art and health and the program called "Musing Together". "Musing Together" is a High Museum of Art program in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association, Georgia Chapter, that lets those in early stage Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias and their care partners enjoy a free visit to the High, discuss and experience art in its fullness, and connect with their family and friends. Virginia talks about how the program was created, the principles it is based on, and shares the wonderful stories of the participants whose lives were deeply impacted and enriched through these efforts. Tune in to learn more!

High Museum of Art: https://high.org

Musing Together: https://www.high.org/Program/musing-together/

Credit: CatMax Photography, LLC.