Author: Wikoff, Naj and Langan, Nancy

Publication Year: 1998

Media Type: Periodical (article)

Summary:

This issue of Monographs looks at the value of arts and healing partnerships and illustrates the many ways to build alliances between the arts and the health care field.

Abstract:

Over the last 15 years, there has been a growing interest in incorporating the arts into health care settings and treatment. In more and more communities across the country, the arts humanize hospitals, treatment facilities, senior care centers and rehabilitation programs, and provide an emotional outlet for patients and families during illness and recovery.

This issue of Monographs looks at the value of arts and healing partnerships and illustrates the many ways to build alliances between the arts and the health care field, and includes:

• A discussion of trends and issues contributing to the growth in arts and health care partnerships.
• Profiles of effective, and adaptable, program models.
• Ideas to connect the arts with hospitals, clinics and community health care settings.
• Steps for establishing and sustaining programs.
• A reference guide to books, articles, networks and conferences. (p. 1)

Arts-medical partnerships are not traditional arts therapy, nor are they its replacement. They are a complementary approach that has the power to develop programs that will positively shape the physical and emotional environment of healthcare facilities. These programs can transform institutional settings by incorporating the arts into space and building design. Arts and healthcare efforts make the arts accessible to patients, family members, doctors, nurses and support staff. (p. 2)

CONTENTS

• Introduction.
• The Growth of Arts in Health Care: How and Why.
• Program Examples.
• Establishing an Arts Program in a Health Care Setting.
• Healing and the Arts Resources.

Americans for the Arts’ Monograph series featured in-depth issue papers on topics that were of the greatest interest to our members and arts professionals at the time. They often still serve as excellent resources for best practices and historic reference for today’s issues. Monographs were produced from 1993–2010. Monographs from 2001-2010 are available for downloadable in PDF format our online store at a nominal fee for nonmembers but free to members. All monographs from 1993-2000 are available for free download via the National Arts Administration and Policy Publications Database.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Partnerships, Accessibility