I'LL BE DOING THIS SKY IN MY DREAMS TONIGHT
This document is about validating the importance of creative expression of people who are living within a hospital context. It is based on the assumption that art is about values, beliefs, identity, expression and communication and as such should be a fundamental right of every individual, regardless of whether they are in hospital or not.
This document is about validating the importance of creative expression of people who are living within a hospital context. It is based on the assumption that art is about values, beliefs, identity, expression and communication and as such should be a fundamental right of every individual, regardless of whether they are in hospital or not.
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Maggie Maxwell<br />
VISUAL ARTS OFFICER, SCOTTISH ARTS COUNCIL<br />
Hospitals are microcosms of communities<br />
and within every community, there is always<br />
an Artist. It is a fundamental given with<br />
Art in Hospital that the artists are always<br />
professionally trained and interested in their<br />
own practice. I never question that assurance.<br />
Because of this principle, there is a consistently<br />
high quality of engagement and of work.<br />
I have always fought for the arts funding bodies to<br />
recognize this area of work and to mainstream it<br />
as core provision. Sustainable funding is essential<br />
for the development of the work. It has to be<br />
about partnerships between the arts funders and<br />
the health boards. Between us all, there has to be<br />
an endorsement of artists working in institutions<br />
like hospitals, hospices, day care centres.<br />
In the end it comes down to basic humanity<br />
doesn’t it? Doctors, administrators, patients,<br />
artists, managers. We all know the value of this<br />
kind of provision, we all want to offer it to<br />
patients, we all want to support artists who<br />
choose to work in this field. We see the results.<br />
All of this goes without saying. The problem is<br />
putting the jigsaw together so that we maximize<br />
funding opportunities and take these projects<br />
forward. The evidence base is growing and now<br />
there are mapping exercises to monitor what<br />
is happening in the area of art and health.<br />
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