About Arts in Medicine

From humble beginnings, Shands Arts in Medicine has grown into one of the largest comprehensive arts in healthcare program in existence.

Starting with 2 volunteer visual artists working on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Arts in Medicine now has 16 paid artists in all art disciplines working in five separate buildings throughout the Shands Healthcare System, covering the Gainesville and Jacksonville communities.

Our programs are designed to transform the hospital experience for patients, visitors, caregivers and staff. We focus on the follow areas:

• The Visual Arts – Two dimensional and three dimensional arts including drawing, painting, collage, ceramics, and crafts.
• The Literary Arts – creative writing, poetry, personal journaling and oral histories.
• The Performing Arts – music, dance, and improvisational theater.
• Mind/Body Renewal – meditation, guided imagery, yoga and Mindfullness Based Stress Reduction.
• Design & Aesthetics – rotating exhibitions, a corporate collection and interior design.

While Arts in Medicine’s main focus has been on applying the arts to patient care, we are also dedicated to expanding our reach beyond the hospital walls. Other developing aspects of the program include:

• Education – course work in arts in healthcare for art, medical and
  nursing students.
• Research – partnering with clinicians to develop and implement
  quantitative studies that demonstrate the effects of arts in
  healthcare.
• Collaborations – partnering with community arts organizations and other hospital departments to bring the message of the arts and wellness to the larger community.