The Arts in Health Care

A Palette of Possibilities
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Describing current initiatives in the use of the arts in health and health care, this book will stimulate wider interest in the therapeutic aspects of the arts. It covers a very wide range of subjects under the general heading of 'the arts' - from painting to architecture, from music to reminiscence, and from writers-in-residence to food.

Adopting a practical approach, the contributors aim to help clinical and professional staff at all levels in health care settings to introduce and develop the use of the arts in their own spheres of influence. They show that the arts must be an integral part of people's lives and stress that environment and the arts can affect the individual and aesthetic stimuli can change mood and behaviour, and possibly aid recovery.

They examine many aspects of the use of the arts, including:

getting started, whether from scratch or by renovation;

involving the community;

involving different user groups, such as older people and people with learning disabilities;

evaluating the effect of the arts on patients' recovery and on staff attitude;

examples of projects that have already been set up.

This book is intended to help professionals to improve the quality of life of those in their care. It stresses the importance of continuing development and the need to evaluate the use of the arts and expenditure on them.
  • Published: Jul 01 1996
  • Pages: 260
  • 234 x 155mm
  • ISBN: 9781853023606
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Press Reviews

  • American Journal of Art Therapy

    After reading the articles by thirty-six contributors, I continued to resonate with the editor's purpose: "to produce something that would interest all those who work in the NHS…" (the National Health Service in Britain). That something can be defined as the healing influences of aesthetic expression on the patients, staff and visitors at various health care institutions.
  • Art Therapy, Journal of the American Art Therapy Association

    It is an inspirational work that reminds us, as art therapists, how complex and multi-layered are the powers of the creative process...The book begins with an overveiw of the arts in health care movement It begins by describing innovative environments, murals, therapeutic processes, and settings in various programs throughout the National Health Service...It goes on to discuss related developments in North America. The book is organised to give the reader concrete examples of how to bring the arts into the health care system, such as (1) using visual arts, music, and writing hands-on with patients; (2) commissioning and purchasing art for hospital environments; (3) collaborating with interior designers and landscape architects; (4) creating a gallery space; (5) fundraising across different fields; (6) providing opportunities for performance works; and (7) focusing on culinary arts in health. The material in this book is based on first-hand experience, so it is practical as well as inspiring. The writing in this book is clear and direct.
  • The Arts in Psychotherapy

    This is the first book of its kind to so thoroughly address this important issue. It is an exciting book that will appeal to artists, art therapists of all disciplines, health psychologists, nurses and physicians, as well as hospital administrators, fundraising committees, hospital governing boards, health care policy makers and health researchers. The editors have done a superb job of incorporating the many domains necessary to plan and develop the arts in healthcare ...The book provides a wealth of information about organizing, developing and implementing the arts in health care. It cultivates an exciting set of possibilities... It is both visionary and practical... This is an important book - and one that I encourage you to read.
  • British Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation

    The book offers a useful beginning in a very important area. [Kaye and Blee's] book is... valuable in its broad sweep and practicality, and is immensely encouraging in the work which it documents.
  • British Medical Journal

    Should your hospital not have a dedicated arts project, and you would like to start one, you will find the contributions collected by Kaye and Blee useful and comprehensive. The case studies from different arts projects around the country make particularly interesting reading.
  • Psychotherapy and Counselling

    If you want to start an arts project in your ward, hospital or community, this book is for you. From planning the project to fund-raising and evaluation, it will tell you how to create "a less threatening health care environment". It shows how the arts can make a significant contribution to ensuring high quality patient care.
  • Music Therapy Perspectives

    ...an interesting, well-written, and well-organized book.
  • Information Exchange (National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services)

    This book is a resource for anyone interested in empowering patients with the help of artists using art as a catalyst for change. The book makes an important point by highlighting the need for good support from managers and administrators to the success of arts projects. It also gives information on funding sources and evaluation...hospice staff, volunteers and students could use this book as a resource for ideas for what is possible and also for a better understanding of the benefits of arts in health care "for the equal importance to mind and imagination when treating physical illness".
  • Architecture Today

    Thorough-going survey of arts-for-health projects, ranging from the work of the Liverpool Tate at Ashworth Special Hospital to the `art that heals' programme at Los Angeles Medical Centre.