How would you like if someone from EMΣΤ visited you at home?
“Companionship with Contemporary Art” is a programme that brings elderly people and people with difficulties in mobility into contact with art. It was realised for the first time in 2022 as a collaboration between EMΣΤ and the Municipality of Athens’ programme “Help at Home”. It continues for a fourth year (October 2025 – May 2026) collaborating with the Municipality of Athens and the Municipality of Moschato-Τavros.
The Municipalities’ “Help at Home” services provide social care to non-self-supporting citizens, the elderly and people with disabilities, by specialists and qualified staff, with priority given to those who live alone. “Help at Home” includes counseling and psychological support, family help and companionship.
AT HOME
Based on the above, with a focus on well-being,“Companionship with Contemporary Art” is a series of visits made by the museum’s education staff to people -recipients of “Help at Home”- who wish to know more about the institution, its collections and exhibitions, but are unable to visit it. By displaying artworks belonging to the EMST collection or featured in its temporary exhibitions as a starting point, a dialogue is initiated in which various topics are discussed with each participant. The works, which are shown during the visit in the form of digital images or videos, aim to encourage interaction and discussion based on the arts. In addition, hands-on activities are suggested, where appropriate.
AT THE MUSEUM
Following the home visits, if the participant wishes, a visit to the Museum is arranged with the assistance of the Municipality staff. An individual tour —or a tour in a small group— is offered while we discuss together impressions of the exhibitions.
Within the same collaborative framework, group visits/tours are also organized for elderly members of the Municipalities’ third age clubs.
Concept and coordination for EMΣT: Ioakeim Theodoridis (cultural manager)
Municipality of Athens Collaborators:
Anna Kostopoulou (head of Elderly Care department), Nikoleta Kotianidou (social worker), Antigoni Kokkosi
Municipality of Moschato-Tavros Collaborators:
Dimitra Papageorgiou (Head of the Directorate of Social Welfare and Solidarity), Georgia Dounia (Social Worker)
EMΣΤ Collaborators:
Elisabeth Ioannides (education curator), Dimitris Kannas (animateur), Marina Tsekou (education curator)
SUPPORTED BY
