Exploring the burgeoning field of arts in medicine will ignite and sustain a regional Arts in Health network modeled after the National Organization for Arts in Health. The presentations were specifically geared toward showing how to create an inspirational environment that blends science and art to enhance the well-being of individuals who come to the hospital, whether they are patients, visitors, caregivers, healthcare providers, employees or students.

Keynote Speaker Iva Fattorini, MD, MsC, founder of Artocene, shared her inspiration for starting an Arts in Health program at major hospitals in the U.S. and on a global scale. She said that there are two things that represent the core of human existence: Arts & Health. Her presentation is housed on the NOAH website for participants to review.

Leadership from Penn State Health and the College of Medicine addressed the participants to illuminate the role of arts in the institution and to define the need of a deep understanding of the sensitive nature of a hospital environment and then to choose art interventions in careful, mindful and nurturing ways.

Lauren Van Scoy, MD, a pulmonologist with Penn State Health and researcher for the College of Medicine, shared research methods for advancing the field of Arts in Health. “Arts and Health is an area that screams for inclusion of scholarly activity and research around its programming—and qualitative and mixed methods research is a perfect fit for this burgeoning field.”

The symposium presentations discussed an evidence-based need for Arts in Health programs going forward. Researchers presented findings and ways to start research initiatives.

 

“Research does NOT limit your creativity as an artist, an art therapist, teacher, or any arts-based facilitator. It has the potential to enhance it by helping you think about what you are really trying to accomplish and why you are running a program.”
Heather Stuckey-Peyrot, DEd
Penn State Health Researcher

Symposium participants were introduced to the Penn State Center Stage Arts in Health Cultural Inclusiveness Statement. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the arts is an avenue to showcase the cultural values of the institution. Presenters shared that acknowledging and dismantling inequities within policies, practices, and services and allocating the time and resources to make good faith efforts to increase the diversity of artistic exhibits, arts performances, and of artists build cultural consciousness.

Participants heard from Arts in Health professionals and Creative Art Therapists to understand the significant differences in the fields. They were provided with an example of a document that Penn State Center Stage Arts in Health uses to delineate how to react in a sensitive situation. Participants asked questions to the presenters. This can help artists determine the roles they would want to play in the field and if they want to invest in the education that separates Arts in Health practitioners from art therapists. Arts in Health professionals surely have opportunity for interesting, fulfilling, and pleasurable work that incorporates the arts into the healthcare experience to nurture healing. Likewise, Creative Art Therapists incorporate art into their work, however, the two disciplines rely on a different scope of practice.

Individuals provided testimony about their experiences with Arts in Health programs at Penn State. Symposium presenters included a chaplain, resident, nurse, patient, caregiver, and medical student.

Presentations offering funding models and evaluation of programs helped participants gain ideas for starting programs. Criteria for success is to gain a deep understanding of the sensitive nature of a hospital environment and then to choose art interventions in careful, mindful and nurturing ways. Success can be measured by surveying participants.

NOAH Board members discussed the drive for professionalization of the field of Arts in Health and the certifications that are on the horizon to further credential artists who want to be a part of this transformational work.

The survey feedback indicated that the call is strong for an annual symposium and additional learning opportunities for the field. Likewise, participants noted that they would like additional informal meetings throughout the year.
As such, we commit to the following:
• Penn State is committed to being a leader in the establishment of a Regional Arts in Health Network.
• Center Stage Arts in Health at Penn State College of Medicine plans to host the Second Annual Symposium with support and guidance from NOAH.
• Center Stage will encourage NOAH members across the state to host “Program Shares” which are networking events that serve to impart information and cultivate relationships in the field.
• Center Stage will continue to identify other programs and contacts in the state to grow the Regional Network.
• The Pennsylvania Arts in Health Network will work with NOAH to provide a template and resources for establishing and developing Regional Networks.

NOAH Recommendations for Arts in Health Regional Networks:

NOAH Regional Program Shares:
These are informal networking events at which attendees share their Arts in Health programs with each other. They take place at the facility of host’s choice.

Guidelines:
• Free for attendees
• Presentations include funding models and evaluation methods
• Q&A time
• Hosted by NOAH member(s)
NOAH promotes event on NOAH website.

NOAH Regional Symposiums:
These are 1 to 1.5 day educational events that include networking and participatory art breaks. Strive to attract a diverse audience beyond artists, including healthcare providers, hospital administrators, state arts agencies, researchers and more.

Guidelines:
• Sponsorship from a strategic partner to cover venue, food, professional artists and cost of NOAH support
• Host institutional buy-in (facility & staff time)
• NOAH board member included in planning
• At least 2 NOAH board members commit to be present at symposium
• One NOAH board member presentation
• Registration free (preferred)

Content areas:
• Professionalization
• Current Arts in Health research review
• CATS within Arts in Health context
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Arts in several of these settings/populations: Hospitals, public health, medical education, healthcare provider work life, military, Long-Term Care, detention centers, and physical environment.

Presenters represent several of this list:
• Host Institution of the Symposium
• State Arts Council(s)
• Rural Healthcare Facility
• Public Health Institution
• University (School of Medicine, School of Fine Arts)
• Arts in Health participants: Artists, Designers, Students, Patients, Healthcare providers

Other features:
• Participatory art sessions: movement, music, visual arts
• Time for Q&A and networking
• Time keeper for sessions
• At least one networking meal

NOAH provides support:
• Sponsorship ideas
• Content planning
• Registration coordination
• Event promotion
• Hosting slides on website after symposium
• Evaluation after event: administer it and share data

“The opportunities to network in tandem with high quality programming, delivered by a diversity of presenters that appealed to a variety of entry points/interests made this experience highly worth my time. Honestly and candidly, Daniel’s talk on his ‘Stigma People’ exhibit in the employee art gallery on Thursday night was so real, raw, pure and incredible … thank you for thinking to include that, and hats off to Center Stage for providing that resource to their employees. NOAH – All of your hard work is really making a difference!”
David Rodgers looks over “Stigma People,” the work of Dan DiFava, an environmental health worker at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, during the Arts in Health Symposium. Image: Penn State Health

“As an artist and an employee through Penn State Health, I learned how to combine both interests and still be successful in both areas.”

“I enjoyed seeing and hearing about the different programs the hospital was doing to promote art and health.”

“I enjoyed the pauses for interactive moments, like the rhythm and movement exercises. Beyond just being a good way to keep energy up throughout the course of the day, they also inspired some ideas for my own practice.”

“There was a lot of really great information given during the symposium. I was happy to then be able to connect and talk with the presenters and other attendees at the networking dinner.”

“The way each speaker enthusiastically shared their information and passion to the group. I am a visual artist, but I don’t have the experience with working in the healthcare field. I felt included in the conversations. I understood the material shared because it was direct and simple. I was given the practices information in a way that I now have steps to get started. I also loved having a chance to talk with other like-minded people! It was wonderful.”

“I enjoyed meeting other artists and performers in the program. I also enjoyed being introduced to some of the concepts and links, such as NOAH, PubMed, and mixed methods research strategies. It was also helpful to see implementations of these ideas in other settings.”

“Having live artists perform at the conference as a vivid reminder of what the efforts is all about. I also enjoyed learning about how art in healthcare programs emerged in various healthcare settings.”

“Meeting other people of like mind and sharing stories and ideas. As well, the information and demonstrations were very helpful, and I look forward to gathering more research.”

“It was incredibly well organized. Both presenters and attendees were from so many different viewpoints and institutions that it made it even more interesting.”

Immediately following the symposium, Center Stage Arts in Health surveyed participants to see what resonated most with them. They found that presentation content was the reason that drove most people to attend the event, followed by the opportunity to network with others in the field. We collected many comments indicating that what attendees particularly enjoyed was seeing the artists that contribute to the Arts in Health program in action. We look forward to further program share events across the state as they are established.