Parkin’s Friday breakfast session explored: What is the role of art in healthcare environments? Our brief discussion looked at how art has become integrated in healthcare design, the role of art in healthcare environments, and the numerous ways in which healthcare institutions are acquiring and developing their art collections. Art improves the visual environment for patients and staff and provides visual distraction and respite in clinical environments. Art is a catalyst in the evolution of the healthcare environment from hospital to civic space and encourages the public to become engaged with their healthcare facility. A coordinated approach to art installation not only creates a pleasant environment, but can also improve wayfinding and reinforce the healthcare institution’s brand identity. Hospital Art Committees that include artists, hospital staff and community members are critical in ensuring that the vision of the facility, patient and staff safety, and the rigor of art collection are maintained. Parkin works with art committees and healthcare institutions to develop wayfinding and art installation strategies that enhance the physical environments of their clinical spaces.
We found the following video interesting and shared it with our staff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdWXDv16sgY