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