Arts in Health

Established in August 2008, our Arts in Health program delivers a range of activities throughout the hospital across art forms such as: Visual Arts and Digital Media, Music and Performing Arts, Public Arts and Integrated Design, Literature and the Therapeutic Arts (Play Therapy, Art Therapy and Music Therapy).

From providing pencils and colouring books in waiting areas, to running Gallery spaces and art displays across the Hospital, to collaborating with Hospital School on book week activities and working closely with the Play Therapy Team, our Arts in Health program delivers smiles and fun throughout the Hospital.

There have always been strong synergies between art and health in relation to understanding the affect that the environment can have on a person or in the case of your Hospital, a child receiving treatment and their families, including their siblings. So bringing the two together, with the purpose of improving health and wellbeing, makes sense.

By treating the whole child, instead of just their symptoms of illness or injury, our Foundation helps children and families achieve better health outcomes. Through art, play and music, we help them alleviate anxiety, provide psychological support and offer creative outlets for self-expression.

Below is a list of our Arts in Health activities:

Play Therapy
Art Therapy
Animal Assisted Therapy
Literature Projects
Music program
Public Art
Gallery and Exhibition Program
Artist Residencies

About the program

Our Foundation funds projects to give children and their families access to unparalleled care with access to the best facilities, the most advanced technology and the most comprehensive support programs that anticipate their every need.

Through Arts in Health we work with your Hospital on providing programs that encourage healing through happiness by creating a hospital environment that looks better and makes the hospital experience feel better for patients and their families. Some of our current Arts in Health programs include:

Play Therapy

Since 2011, our Arts in Health program works with your Hospital by providing funding and resources to build the Play Therapy service. From the start of our Arts in Health program, we have worked closely with your Hospital to provide funding and resources to build the Play Therapy service. Click here to find out more about this program and how you can provide support.

Animal Assisted Therapy

The Animal Assisted Therapy program was launch in the Paediatric Rehabilitation Department at the hospital in 2016. The ‘Dog Team’ has become another ‘tool’ that the Paediatric Rehabilitation Department staff can access as part of the rehabilitation program for children currently receiving treatment at the Hospital. Read on to find out more information about our Animal Assisted Therapy program and how you can support this initiative.

The Paediatric Palliative Care Siblings Project

Using art therapy to enable children with a seriously ill brother or sister to express their emotions, establish coping strategies and meet others in a similar situation through a two-day workshop and follow-up activities.

Gallery & Exhibition Program

Our Arts in Health program coordinates a changing visual art exhibition program across five galleries located in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The Heart Galleries bring visual art to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital community to provide a space away from the stresses of treatment to distract, entertain and inspire, improving the hospital environment.