In my ongoing effort to find data that supports the benefits of art, I was pleased to see that the Barr Foundation recently endowed a Neuroscience position at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. This is a first for an art museum.

Dr. Tedi Asher has been appointed Neuroscience Researcher. She earned her Ph.D. from Harvard Medical School’s Biological and Biomedical Sciences program, and at PEM, will synthesize neuroscience research findings and make recommendations on how museums can improve upon the visitor experience. 

Her findings and recommendations will almost certainly be relevant to other art museums and institutions. Stay tuned!