Artful Moments: Building Museum Experiences for People Living with Dementia is a resource to support museums in creating programs for people living with dementia that are person-centered, empowering and responsive. It is based on the Art Gallery of Hamilton's long-standing Artful Moments program and is the result of the learning and experiences the authors have had in offering creative programs for people throughout their journey with dementia.

Combining specialized strategies for dementia care with museum-based activities, Artful Moments explores how museum can open up a world of in-the-moment engagement and enjoyment for the participants with dementia, while providing opportunities for social connection and shared experience with loved ones and peers.

This book combines the knowledge of experienced practitioners in museum education and healthcare, introducing a proven program methodology that considers the museum experience as a whole, and using strategies to support engagement, ultimately achieving improved wellbeing for participants. The authors understand and embrace the idea that each museum is unique, bringing their own site, collections and activities to their work. In this 'how-to guide', they present a knowledge base and a planning process that is broadly applicable to any museum site, whether an art gallery, history museum, historical site, botanical garden, zoo or more.

Laurie Kilgour-Walsh has been the Lead of Wellness and is now Head of Programs and Learning at the Art Gallery of Hamilton since 2006. During that tenure, Laurie has led educational and interpretive programs for audiences of all ages and abilities, creating programs that are responsive to the individual strengths and interests of participants. She is now developing a larger mandate for arts and wellbeing within the AGH's public program to support diverse audiences with a range of abilities and interests. Laurie led the inception of Artful Moments in 2009 and continues to lead it through numerous diverse initiatives in support of best practices in museum-based programs. Following many conversations with peers about Artful Moments, and how others can create similar experiences for their audiences, Laurie is excited to share the collected learning and experiences of the past decade through this project. With a background in fine art and art history, many years spent working in museums, and an eclectic collection of education and professional development experiences, Laurie brings a passion for art and museums, focusing on the socially connective and empowering potential of creative experiences. Laurie is also a practicing artist and an avid museum visitor.