Written on Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 at 9:00am by Paul Wolf | One Comment

Linking Arts and Health Care

Business First reports that the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts has received a grant in the amount of $287,000 from the Oishei Foundation to establish a program using the performing arts to enhance healing for patients.

The Arts in Healthcare initiative will be developed in collaboration with Kaleida Health’s Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. The program is modeled after a University of Florida initiative that involved training artists, musicians, poets, dancers and storytellers to work with patients, families and staff.

Robert Gioia, president of the Oishei Foundation stated "Through many of our community-based grants, we have seen the remarkable influence of the arts in conveying information and helping to change behaviors."

According to the Business First article, studies have shown that integrating the arts into healthcare settings helps to cultivate a healing environment, support the mental and emotional recovery of patients, communicate health and recovery information, and foster positive working conditions for caregivers.

What do you think of this idea? Can the arts make a difference in a healthcare setting or is this just a waste of funds?

One Comment

  1. minterests says:
    December 20, 2007 at 9:22 am

    As I read this I was thinking of some time I spent at Roswell with a sick sibling. The atmosphere in Roswell made me feel better, it is bright with artwork, a warmer feel than many hospitals. I can understand how it could benefit anyone who has to spend time in this type of an environment.

 

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