The Healing Arts Programme

By introducing visual and performing arts into University Hospital, Coventry and the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby the Healing Arts Programme helps to alleviate the fears and concerns of patients and their families, softening clinical environments, enhancing patient care and aiding recovering and furthermore integrating the hospital into the local community.

The Healing Arts programme at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust was introduced in 2009 and effectively serves a culturally diverse local community. Research carried out to date has shown the arts to have significant health benefits for patients. Exhibiting artworks soften clinical environments as well as providing opportunities for local artists to exhibit their work.

The Trust has a vision that it will be recognised and respected, internationally, for utilising the Arts to complement and support its world class healthcare. Our programme is backed by our Healing Arts strategy which is available to download.

Meet the Healing Arts Coordinator

My name is Emma Linnane and I joined as Arts Coordinator for the Healing Arts Programme in March 2011. My role is to deliver an effective programme of arts for our patients at University Hospital and the Hospital of St Cross. Much has been achieved to date. We have gathered an extensive collection of contemporary art including bespoke pieces for the Women’s and Children’s Entrance and Main Reception of University Hospital, and through donations we have installed temporary exhibition spaces along the hospital corridors for local artists, community groups and schools. 

I am working to increase our exhibition spaces even more, ensuring work can be seen on the approach to all of our wards and day units. Supporting a comprehensive approach to care, I hope to introduce other areas of the arts such as dance, music, theatre and literature, to help patients identify and address their concerns about their illness and conditions and improve recovery and recuperation. A diverse range of activities will be introduced to complement all services including the care of elderly, children, those having regular chemotherapy or transfusions as well as those visiting the hospital for a short period. The Healing Arts programme relies solely on donations to the Trust Charity, therefore as part of my role I will undertake plans to effectively raise funds for any future projects. 

I have a degree in Fine Art Photography and have strong personal interest in visual arts. I have coordinated a series of exhibitions including my own and in 2009 I received an award for an individual piece of work and was granted an exhibition within an international art festival. Working independently as an artist I have a wide understanding of contemporary art of all genres and hope to bring this to our patients at UHCW.

Support our Healing Arts Programme, Today

This can be done in person at the UHCW Charity Office in the main reception of University Hospital, or online.  

Become an exhibitor

As part of the Healing Arts Programme we welcome local artists, educational institutions and creative groups the chance to exhibit works at University Hospital in Coventry. Download an exhibitor application pack.

Creative Workshops and Performances

To develop our programme further we are now introducing a series of creative workshops and performances to compliment patient care and wellbeing. 

We welcome:

• Storytellers
• Creative writing and poetry groups
• Theatre and drama performances
• Puppetry and magic
• Arts and crafts workshops

Download an application pack click