Arts in Health
Through our Arts in Health program we use art, play, music and literature to encourage curiosity and creativity to reduce the stress and anxiety of being in hospital. Providing moments of calm in a busy health environment, we use creative approaches to healthcare and wellbeing.
Public Art
Our Arts in Health program activates and brightens areas of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital through public artworks and art installations to improve the health and wellbeing of the hospital community.
See public art
Play Therapy
Working closely with patients and their families, Play Therapists provide distraction to minimise anxiety and fear, help keep patients safe, prepare and support patients for procedures, provide emotional support and create positive fun and meaningful experiences.
See play therapy
Gallery & Exhibition Program
Our Arts in Health program activates coordinates a changing visual art exhibition program across five galleries located in the Women’s & Children’s Hospital. The Heart Galleries bring visual arts to the Hospital community to provide a space away from the stresses of treatment to distract, entertain and inspire, improving the Hospital environment.
See gallery & exhibition program
Book Buddies
The Book Buddies program makes a child’s hospital experience more enjoyable and encourages reading to improve literacy skills. Qualified Book Readers visit the wards, engaging children with the many adventures that can be had through reading books.
See book buddiesArts in Health Stories
Meet your Arts in Health team
At the heart of our Arts in Health Program is a dedicated team passionate about enriching the lives of women, children, and families through creative expression.
Connect with us
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Jenny Berry, a professional visual artist based in Adelaide, is passionate about the underwater world and the creatures and flora that reside there 🐠🪸🤿
As a keen diver, many of her artworks are inspired by photos she’s taken during her underwater experiences. Her love for the ocean and its undersea creatures is evident in every stroke of her brush.
Beneath the Blue reflects Jenny’s experiences diving in Indonesia near Komodo Island. The underwater world she encountered was a vibrant tapestry of colours, teeming with life. The unique fish life and the magnificent coral leaves viewers in awe, unable to decide where to look first.
Location: Orange Heart Gallery | Level 1 along the Samuel Way walkway.
@artsinhealth_wchf
@jennyberryartist
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We’re proud to have supported a new series of short, easy-to-follow videos created by the Community Physiotherapy service at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Network.
Flat spots on a baby`s head (plagiocephaly and brachycephaly) are a common concern for families. They can develop when babies spend lots of time on their backs, prefer looking to one side, or don’t get enough tummy time.
These new videos give parents simple, practical tips they can use at home, from daily supervised tummy time to encouraging babies to look both ways and spending more time playing freely on the floor.
Physiotherapist Melissa Keough says early guidance makes all the difference. “Head shape is a common concern for parents of new babies. It can be managed by employing strategies at home, and in fact if started early, head shape issues can be prevented from occurring in the first place.”
By supporting the development of these resources, we’re helping families feel confident and informed during their baby’s early development.
Read more about these video resources on our website via the link in bio.
@wchnetwork
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As 2025 draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible impact we’ve made together. This year has been a testament to what we can achieve when we unite for South Australian children and families.
We are filled with immense gratitude for our amazing community of partners, donors, and volunteers who have stood with us every step of the way. Thank you for being a part of it 💛
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