Art of medicine : what artists and museum educators can teach us about combatting the opioid epidemic

Abstract

Art world superstar Jean-Michel Basquiat painted the electrically vibrant, sketchy skull, Untitled, before dying of a heroin overdose at age 27. The painting's imagery and its creator's substance use struggles call to mind the victims of the current opioid epidemic. Large donations from the Sackler family, patrons of numerous museums and arts institutions, have prompted questions about art world affiliation and accountability. Largely in response to protests staged by activists such as artist Nan Goldin, numerous museums have renounced Sackler funding. What more can arts organizations consider doing amidst the crisis? The Currier Museum of Art in New Hampshire offers community support and suggests a framework for museums' roles in healing.