The Arts in Health Care

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. -- American Journal of Art Therapy
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. -- Art Therapy, Journal of the American Art Therapy Association
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. -- The Arts in Psychotherapy
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 Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation
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. -- British Medical Journal
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. -- Psychotherapy and Counselling
...an interesting, well-written, and well-organized book. -- Music Therapy Perspectives
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". -- Information Exchange (National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services)
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. -- Architecture Today