Fine Art Collection

The Art & Health program at MCV Hospitals was initiated in 1986, the second of its kind in the country after Duke Health which was founded in 1978. Now named the Arts in Healthcare program, it manages a Fine Art Collection, which is valued at over 5 million dollars. The collection is comprised of over 2500 original pieces of artwork and 11 murals by local, regional, and international artists across over 58 facilities from South Hill to Tappahannock. Benefits of art in hospitals includes health and stress reductions, improved mood, distraction, expression of emotions, enhanced well-being, cultural sensitivity, therapeutic benefits, and community engagement.

“The arts can help us to emotionally manage the processes of fighting an illness or injury, to process difficult emotions in times of emergency, and face challenges. Both the creation and enjoyment of the arts contribute to promoting comprehensive well-being, and can be a motivating factor in recovery. Benefits are evidenced through various indicators, including health promotion, management of health conditions and disease prevention.”  -World Health Organization

Call for original artwork 

VCU Health is seeking artists to submit digital images of original artwork available for purchase for the new Chesterfield Pavilion. The deadline is 5 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), September 1, 2026. 

The Project

VCU Health is seeking artists to submit digital images of original artwork available for purchase for the new Chesterfield Pavilion. You are responsible for shipping or delivering your artwork if selected.

Artwork

1. Drawings, paintings, collage, prints, digital art, photography and wall mounted sculpture.
2. All work should have uplifting imagery.
3. Nature, natural elements, abstract art, figurative art
4. Cultural diversity in subject and content.
5. Do not submit proposals for commissions.

Orientation and sizes

• Vertical Large (Maximum 48 inches)
• Horizontal Large (Maximum 72 inches)

How to Apply

Artists interested in this project must prepare and submit the following by email to alexis.shockley@vcuhealth.org. Do not use file transferring software.

1. No more than 10 digital JPEG images of original artwork for sale.
2. Include the frame in the photograph if the work is framed.
3. All JPEGs must be sized at least 250 dpi.
4. Name each file as shown: lastname_titleofartwork.jpeg
5. You must include a description sheet with corresponding numbers. Submissions without a description sheet will NOT be considered for purchase as the selection team will not reach out for needed information.
6. Titles of Artwork
7. Date of artwork
8. Medium
9. UNFRAMED Dimensions of the artwork + FRAMED dimensions of artwork if applicable
10. Prices of artwork
11. Artist’s Statement, no more than 200 words in length, describing your work.

Final Art Selection

The Committee will review the submittals and select original artwork.

Artists whose work is selected for purchase will be notified by October 1, 2026. Only artists whose work is selected for purchase will be contacted.

All purchased art must be hand-delivered as VCU Health will NOT pay shipping cost or insure work while in transit. Art will be installed in February 2027.

The VCU Health Department of Arts In Healthcare is under no obligation to purchase artwork based on the images submitted. Beyond formal notifications, the VCU Health Department of Arts In Healthcare will not enter into any correspondence regarding purchase decisions.

If you have any questions or need any additional information, please reach out to Alexis Shockley at 804-828-1771 or alexis.shockley@vcuhealth.org