Arts in Healthcare
Providing supportive care to our patients, visitors, and team members through art instruction, music therapy, dogs on call, health and wellness, visual arts, and cultural programs.
Educational video on Arts in Healthcare
History
Since its’ beginning in 1986, The Department of Arts in Healthcare has been serving patients throughout the Health Care System with participatory programs in art, music and health and wellness. Programs are designed specifically for the contemporary healthcare environment at VCU Health System.
Contact us for more information about Arts in Healthcare.
Mission
Arts in Healthcare is a diverse, multidisciplinary field dedicated to transforming the healthcare experience by connecting people with the power of the arts at key moments in their lives. The arts benefit patients by aiding in their physical, mental, and emotional recovery including relieving anxiety and decreasing the perception of pain.
Programs
Arts in Healthcare manages a Fine Art Collection, which is valued at close to 3.5 million dollars composed of works by local and regional artists. Healing architecture and gardens, art installations, and natural lighting help to decrease patient and caregiver stress, improve outcomes, enhance patient safety, simplify way finding, and increase overall quality of care. A healing work environment also contributes vastly to the job satisfaction of professional caregivers, reducing errors and increasing effectiveness.
In support of our commitment to creating a healing environment, Arts in Healthcare maintains a vibrant art collection. Guests enjoy rotating art exhibitions in Gateway, Main Hospital, North Hospital and Stony Point 9000. You’ll also find pop-up displays – often featuring work by our providers and staff members and our community– within different departments.
Our board-certified music therapists offer bedside sessions for patients of all ages throughout the downtown hospital campus. Patients may be self-referred or referred by a family member or medical team member.
Arts in Healthcare assists VCU Health in the honoring and celebrating all federally sanctioned heritage months. Arts in Healthcare also facilitates and presents musical and theatrical performances, creating a soothing and enjoyable environment for our patients, team members, and visitors.
In healthcare settings, where a patient's sense of control is often lost or minimized, the arts serve as therapeutic and healing tools. By reducing stress, loneliness, and the perception of pain, the arts improve the patient experience and have a positive impact on health outcomes. These benefits further lead to shorter hospital stays, less need for pain medication, and enhanced patient adherence to treatment-resulting in substantial financial savings for both patients and health organizations.
From one-on-one to group art lessons, our Arts Coordinator can help you learn a new craft, while relieving anxiety, reducing, boredom, and creating something beautiful during your time at VCU Health. We offer art lessons in many areas, including painting, jewelry making, sewing, crafting, and clay, so you can find an activity that you enjoy.
Our certified health and wellness coordinator can improve your health with lifestyle, integrative, holistic and functional medicine. Consultations in person or by phone feature modalities that are appropriate, affordable, safe and nourishing. Services are free of charge.
The VCU Health Orchestra was founded in 2017 and we are one of the few academic health centers in the country with its own orchestra. View more details about the VCU Health Orchestra which includes a Today Show feature story and videos of our recent performances.