The Hospital Artist-In-Residence Program brings artmaking directly to the besides of people with cancer in the hospital. Artists currently work with more than 15,000 patients and family members each year on oncology units, bone marrow transplant units, general medical/surgical floors, intensive care/respiratory units, palliative care programs, and outpatient clinics.

The Artists-In-Residence are carefully selected and trained to work within the hospital setting. They receive education, support, and on-going supervision by social workers and art therapists.

Each artist provides materials and art projects tailored to the specific needs of the patient in the hospital. He or she commits to a minimum of a full year of work, working one day each week, as a responsible member of the hospital team.

Benefits for Patients

Beyond providing much-needed relief and distraction from the anxiety, pain, and boredom that is often associated with a hospital stay, the Hospital Artist-In-Residence Program provides patients with a way to become absorbed in their own creative process. Patients and staff quickly discover that they are more than their disease as they begin to explore art-making, some for the first time in their lives!

Benefits for Hospitals

By providing one-on-one sessions with a caring and supportive artist, The Creative Center's programs augment the patient support services already in place in most hospitals. The artwork that is created provides lively discussion between patients and hospital staff on a more individual and personal basis. The nursing and support staff of the hospitals feel proud to be able to offer something very special, and in many cases, have provided exhibition space for patient artwork.

Participating Hospitals:

Bellevue Hospital, Beth Abraham Rehabilitation Center, Maimonides Hospital, Long Island College Hospital, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York University Medical Center, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital, St. Vincents Comprehensive Cancer Center, Terrence Cardinal Cooke Healthcare Center, and Englewood Hospital in Englewood, New Jersey, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Zicklin Jewish Hospice, North General Hospice. In New England, Mass General Hospital

Grants/Awards:

The United Hospital Fund 2000, 2001

NEA consultations grant 2001, 2003

Bristol-Myers Squibb 2002, 2003, 2004

Novartis Oncology 2002, 2003, 2004

Johnson & Johnson/The Society for the Arts in Healthcare 2003

Blakemore Foundation 2004

Con Edison 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

NYC Department of Cultural Affairs 2007, 2008, 2009

National Endowment for the Arts 2008

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council 2008

Seedco Financial 2008

Artist-in-Residence Opportunities:

Artists residing in the New York metropolitan area may apply for a position by sending a resume, letter of intent, and two references to:

The Creative Center:
Arts in Healthcare

273 Bowery
(corner of Bowery & Houston)
New York, NY 10002

Telephone:
646 465 5313
646 465 5314

Fax:
646 465 5326