Social Impact: Evidence summary

Sharing the impact museums can have is a powerful way to demonstrate the value of the sector.  

We commissioned three literature reviews, published in 2020, to collate the academic, peer-reviewed evidence of the impact museums can have. The findings were measured against the outcomes of the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework.  

Below is a summary of our findings. The full literature reviews with bibliography are available here:  

Literature review: education and employability  

Literature review: health and wellbeing 

Football memories evaluation 

The Museums Association has also produced Scottish case studies to support their Museums Change Lives campaign.

We are well educated, skilled, and able to contribute to society.

Educational attainment

Research conclusions:

• visible improvement of student learning in the measured population of 4–16-year-olds 
• a positive impact on attainment
• increased teacher confidence around finding creative ways to deliver the curriculum using non-traditional spaces
• better understanding of curriculum subjects
• improved examination grades, written and practical work

Confidence of children and young people 

Research conclusions:

• children developing increased confidence and improved social and communication skills 
• increased levels of interest and motivation
• inspiration of children and young people at all curriculum stages

Resilience of children and young people 

Research conclusions:

• developing critical thinking benefiting social norms and values as well as ethical thinking 
• the promotion of creative engagement leading to entrepreneurial thinking     

We grow up loved, safe, and respected so that we realise our full potential.

Child social and physical development 

Research conclusions:

• developing critical thinking benefiting social norms and values as well as ethical thinking 
• the promotion of creative engagement leading to entrepreneurial thinking

Child wellbeing and happiness 

Research conclusions:

• children developing increased confidence and improved social and communication skills 
• increased levels of interest and motivation

Children’s material deprivation

Research conclusions:

• Children and young people from disadvantaged areas reap greater benefits from visiting museums

We are healthy and active.

Healthy life expectancy 

Research conclusions:

• Visiting museums and galleries is associated with increased longevity

Mental wellbeing 

Research conclusions:

• Museums have a positive impact on mental wellbeing
• Carers are happier through reminiscence attendance
• Agitation in dementia sufferers can be eased through reminiscence
• Museum visitors have a lower rate of developing dementia in later life
• Communication can be improved through attending reminiscence sessions for those with dementia
• Reminiscence reduced social isolation
• Reminiscence can make carers less stressed
• Reminiscence increases sociability and enjoyment in dementia patients
• museum objects might trigger personal memories, associations and emotions that could support a deeper level of processing and meaning-making
• museum visitors have a lower rate of developing depression

Premature mortality 

Research conclusions:

• participation in museum activity can reduce chronic pain 
• museums visitors have greater general wellbeing
• visiting museums makes people happier
• museums participation reduces stress and anxiety
• participating in museum activities reduces isolation and increases a sense of identity
• museum outreach activities in hospitals have been shown to have a positive impact on patient wellbeing