Arts in Hospital
Arts in Hospital is a small, charitable organisation based at Dorset County Hospital. We aim to enhance the healing environment, raise patients' spirits and give pleasure to all who are concerned with their welfare. We:
- Support patients and staff through therapeutic art projects that have medical and social benefit
- Engage the wider community on creative projects based on health and well-being outcomes like health promotion
- Programme temporary exhibitions and maintain a permanent collection of life affirming artwork shown throughout the hospital and satellite facilities
… follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ArtsInHospital or on Twitter @artsinhospital.
Music and Dementia - 'A Right Old Song and Dance'
A Right Old Song and Dance was an Awards for All funded residency at Dorset County Hospital for a storytellers and musicians Sammy Hurden and Tim Laycock to enhance the clinical and social wellbeing of patients (and staff). Over three months they came in to sing and encourage patients to join in. In doing so they found out amazing personal stories about people from all walks of life which they were able to pass on to carers and staff on the ward.
Blood Makes Noise (2013)
Watch online this moving film by Peter Snelling about the highs and lows of dialysis and renal transplants.
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What we do
In the past three years (2010/13) we have worked directly with 1,223 participants in our projects from children to the elderly, patients, staff and local community groups - with exhibitions and permanent artworks helping to ease the journey of most of the 350,000 plus people who use the hospital annually. We have worked with people with cancer, dementia, renal failure, chronic pain and other groups.
Most of all Arts in Hospital is about people and quality of care. Here is just one comment about a music project at the hospital from a nurse:
“happy, enthusiastic and energized… most of the patients were responsive and participated…staff have said it has made a difference for them too – more support with caring for patients particularly those with dementia…the ward has been a more ‘joyous’ place whilst the project has been in progress… the saddest part is it is the last session… we have so much more to offer… the ward staff would like another project…”
We also know that arts and health working together in primary care are proven medically to:
- decrease stress, anxiety and depression
- improve clinical indicators such as blood pressure
- reduce drug consumption
- shorten length of hospital stay
- promote better doctor-patient relationships
Living with Cancer - Endings and Beginnings (2012)
Download these personal stories from a creative writing project with cancer patients hosted by local writer Rosie Jackson.
About us
We are dependent on charitable grants and donations to support the work we do and our finances are administered by the charitable trust at Dorset County Hospital Charity (registration no. 1056479 ).
Arts in Hospital funds all purchases, commissions and projects through applying for funding from sources such as Arts Council England (Lottery funding), other lottery funders such as Big Lottery, Charitable Trusts and Foundations & through raising funds via a member scheme, donations and fundraising events. There is also an agreement with the Trust that in large capital schemes a percentage of funds will be considered for artwork to be incorporated into new developments, where appropriate. Arts in Hospital staff salaries, office overheads and the maintenance of the collection are funded by NHS funds.
Arts in Hospital is managed by a part time Arts Coordinator, supported by volunteers and a steering group which includes members of hospital staff and the public.
Room with a View (2002- to date)
This innovative project broadcasts live webcam views of nature and landscape into wards and isolation units to distract and relax patients and visitors.
How you can help us to help others
- Donate to DCH NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund (Arts in Hospital)
- Join our “Friends of Arts in Hospital”. It is only £15 a year and you will get our newsletter, invitations to events and private views as well as information on any trips or workshops we are offering.
- Support a particular project and fundraise with us
- Sponsor a project and have your name associated with it
To make a donation or other enquiries contact Alex Murdin, Arts Coordinator on alex.murdin@dchft.nhs.uk, 01305 255144, DCHFT, Trust HQ, Williams Ave, Dorchester DT1 2JY
A brief history of Arts in Hospital
In 1987, the Vice Chairman of the hospital, Val Pitt-Rivers, started Arts in Hospital with the help of a few friends. Since her retirement in 1998 she has continued to support us as an active patron. Her first committee was responsible for some of our most iconic artworks such as the Red & Blue Crayons by Peter Logan and the Dog by Dame Elisabeth Frink, a founder patron of Arts in Hospital.
Dog by Elizabeth Frink, Courtyard design by Chris Tipping
After the opening of Phase 1 of the new Dorset County Hospital in 1987, the internal courtyards became the main focus of the arts project. The first to be completed was the Waterfall Courtyard by the sculptor Hamish Horsley. Soon after followed the courtyard to house Elisabeth Frink's Dog, which was designed by artist Christopher Tipping, and then the Bird Garden designed by John Hubbard with stone fragments engraved by Richard Grasby.
Glass designs by Martin Donlin
While Phase 2 of the hospital was at the planning stage, Arts in Hospital involved the artists Richard Harris in the development of the main central courtyards and Martin Donlin in designing glass artwork to be integrated into the new Accident & Emergency waiting area. This led to a successful application to Arts Council England for a National Lottery award of £330,000 which funded the major project ‘Bringing the Outside In’. The 18 commissions for the main public spaces are by nationally and internationally recognised contemporary artists including David Nash, John Hubbard, Martin Parr, Susan Derges, Graham Crowley, Gabriella Sancisi, Stephen Farthing and Alex Lowery.
Arts in Hospital Projects
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Spanish
Arabic
Chinese
Japanese
Korean
Russian