Art & Heritage

Although art has been included in hospitals for a number of centuries, current trends reveal a marked increase in arts-related activities with a number of organisations dedicated to supporting these developments. These exciting projects taking place across the UK all reflect an enlightened recognition of the positive and healing effect of the arts in healthcare.

The Charity's Art and Heritage projects range from site-specific commissions to participatory activities spanning both the visual and performing arts.

Click on any of the images below to see the full picture

Thomas Heatherwick's 'Boiler suit' at Guy's Hospital

Milou van Ham's suspended sculptures at Sunshine House

Gamelan lessons with patients at the Evelina Children's Hospital

Activities and programmes aim to enhance the quality of the environment for patients, visitors and staff through the collection, preservation and imaginative display of objects in Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals. It encourages participation in creative activities in order to promote a holistic approach to healthcare, which takes into account the need for physical, spiritual and emotional well-being.

Speaking at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust's Annual Arts Lecture in January 2009, Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, said that art is an essential part of the health service, "It affirms human dignity and promotes the healing process."

To find out more about the benefits of art in the healthcare environment, read ‘Arts in health: a review of the medical literature’ on the Arts Council website, or find out what the Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health says on the subject »