New Delhi: Los Angeles’ Getty Center has unveiled a new video podcast aimed at making mindfulness accessible through the power of art. Titled “OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation,” the series invites listeners to engage deeply with the museum’s renowned collection via guided meditations and art historical insights.
The museum and library announced their upcoming project on 16 June via an Instagram post. The first season of OMMM will include 12 meditation episodes in total. Each episode features a breathing exercise and meditation hosted by Getty gallery educator Lilit Sadoyan, paired with a thoughtful exploration of a specific artwork. New meditation-focused episodes will drop every Tuesday, followed by deeper bonus episodes on Thursdays, which expand on themes from the art or the meditation practice. The podcast is available on all major platforms, including Apple, Spotify, and directly via the Getty website.
This initiative builds on the museum’s prior mindfulness programming, such as its “Monday Museum Mindfulness Meditation Moments,” which used social media to offer brief, art-inspired pauses for reflection. The new podcast, however, represents a significant step forward, transforming passive viewing into active, mindful engagement—accessible from anywhere, not just the Getty Center galleries.
“For a long time, museums have been perceived as spaces where visitors intentionally go to slow down,” Sadoyan told The Art Newspaper.
“When you slow down with a work of art—when you really pay attention—it begins over time to reveal itself,” she added.
The Instagram post quickly garnered positive engagement, with over 1,100 likes and dozens of enthusiastic comments within the first day.
“As an artist, I practice mindfulness, or mindfulness practices me in my creation of art,” read one comment.
Art and wellness experts see the launch as timely. In an era of digital overload and rising mental health awareness, combining contemplative practices with cultural heritage offers a refreshing antidote.
“Want to Meditate With Van Gogh? The Getty Has a Mindfulness Podcast for That,” read one headline summarising the buzz.
Getty officials describe the podcast as part of broader efforts to democratise art appreciation. By guiding listeners through sensory awareness and historical context, episodes encourage viewers to slow down and form personal connections with masterpieces they might otherwise glance over.
“We are in a culture that rewards speed and efficiency. Museums offer us an opportunity to slow down, to notice more and to develop a deeper relationship with whatever we are experiencing,” Sadoyan said.
A teaser video on YouTube and promotional materials emphasise the soothing, immersive experience.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)