Visual art
for health & wellbeing

Our vision is ‘Art for every healthcare setting in Scotland’ and our mission is to use visual art to improve health and wellbeing. We value putting the person at the centre of their own health and wellbeing, humanising healthcare environments and the positive health and wellbeing impact of the visual arts. We also value quality, innovation and professionalism and the ideas and ambitions of artists, without whom our work would not be possible.

The collection

Artwork rental service

Art workshops

Sponsors and CSR

Artists

Support us

Little as we know about the way in which we are affected by form, by colour, and light, we do know this: that they have an actual physical effect. Variety of form and brilliancy of colour in the objects presented to patients, are actual means of recovery. Florence Nightingale 1860

Art in Healthcare uncovered
A short introduction

Art has a positive impact on health and wellbeing, both during times of health and in illness. To prevent ill health, engaging with art can advance personal development from building social interaction to improving self-esteem. Physical and mental wellbeing are interconnected and during illness art can contribute to improved patient outcomes. Art can be used as an intervention to support treatment or provide an alternative to treatment for ill health. Art can distract from pain and anxiety to empower, offer respite and maintain a sense of dignity to stimulate holistic healing.

As a charitable organisation we depend on the generosity of artists, sponsors, donors and volunteers to deliver our services. There are many ways you can help Art in Healthcare to make a positive difference to the healthcare environment experienced by millions of people each year throughout Scotland.

FIND OUT MORE

Keeping you up to date

What are cultural needs and how do they relate to health and care needs?

It may be useful to understand the strategic importance of culture for Scotland by considering the concept of cultural needs. This submission argues that every individual has cultural needs and that these needs can be satisfied in a range of ways including engagement with the arts.

Making Room for Art

Our Outreach Manager Iona McCann tells us more about our Big Lottery Funded project ROOM FOR ART which is a series of visual arts workshops delivered throughout Edinburgh using a social prescribing approach.

How art can address health inequalities

In this post, Chief Executive Margaret O'Connor talks about the health benefits of engaging with culture, in general terms and with specific reference to health inequalities.