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There is a growing number of Hospitals offering art programs that serve to benefit patients and their families.
The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (MFA) offers free programs in a group setting or bedside in patients’ rooms. The MFA currently provides off-site workshops at Boston Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Those who are receiving medical treatment can enjoy a fun and creative experience in these workshops.
At Mercy Hospital Downtown, in Bakersfield, California, the Art and Spirituality Center offers programs based on a belief, “that the process of experiencing art promotes health and well-being, aiding in physical, mental, and emotional recovery, including relieving anxiety and decreasing the perception of pain.”
On a similar topic, there are many organizations that bring art to hospitals in order to deliver a sense of peace, comfort and a positive alternative to the traditional clinical hospital atmosphere.
Founded by Jan Papirmeister, a registered nurse and artist, Youth Art For Healing is a non-profit organization in Bethesda, MD, whose mission is “to bring works of art created by youth into healthcare environments to provide a sense of comfort, inspiration and healing for patients and their loved ones, and healthcare professionals.”