This symposium fits into the broader context of the Arts in Health field because it allows healthcare providers a creative way to look at art and draw from that experience to better care for individuals. The symposium shows the power of art to create experiences accessible to patients, family, and staff in order to foster a calm, positive environment of care. Center Stage facilitated all of the aspects of this educational day to make it the starting point for a regional groundswell of support. NOAH Board Members from across the country attended the event and held a panel discussion to talk about “What is Next for Arts in Health.”
In an effort to showcase the kinds of art appropriate for the hospital setting, Center Stage hosted musicians who play soothing, relaxing music during the breaks. Visual artists painted calming scenes on ceiling tiles that will be hung in patient rooms. A rhythm workshop and seated dance workshop showed how people can make music and facilitate movement right from a hospital room. The day ended with 15 minutes of a concert pianist to show how music can transform the lobby space.

Center Stage employs artists with advanced skill level – musicians play their instruments with skill and sensitivity. Artists are of high caliber. While playing, leading a session or painting, artists are aware and sensitive to how music/art is being received and are prepared to make adjustments in volume, mood, etc. It is important to know how to react or adjust in particularly emotional situations.

Guided Art Walking Tour

Participants viewed the public art at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. They learned the nature of the specific contemporary art is important to inspire health, well-being, visual culture and science.
These commissions are generously sponsored by philanthropic gifts. In addition, some facility renovation budgets are used when available. Art is chosen carefully to convey intentional messages for the viewer audience. For example, messages of soothing for patients, engaging for employees, inspiring for students, etc. We find that art nurtures and inspires a healing atmosphere on our campus. At the end of the walking tour, participants viewed a solo exhibition by an employee.

Artmaking

Participants were given the opportunity to create a nametag that they wore during the symposium. The artmaking opportunity is meant to facilitate self-expression and conversation among the network of people at the event.
Participants had about 15 minutes to start and finish the project and they used the supplies on the table. They created a nametag with the prompt “What brings you joy?” They used one word and crafted a mini collage accordingly.
This simple project created engaging connections to foster communication and networking to advance the field. People read and shared others’ mini collages to understand something significant about other people. Discovering joy through art and being able to personally share that with others is a wonderful way to make connections.

Starter Tool Kits

Center Stage Arts in Health provided a starter toolkit for participants. The conference bag also included contact information of all registrants, agenda, and a Zentangle kit. We thank Center Stage volunteers for helping with the day!

 

“The power of the arts lies in their unique ability to enrich our human experience by eliciting reflection, emotion and creativity. Regarding a painting connects us to deep thoughts about our lives. Listening to inspiring music brings us joy. And learning to create a clay sculpture reminds us of flexibility in problem solving. Each of these experiences in uniquely human, and each result is related to our health and well-being. When we experience the impact of art, there is seldom one clear feeling or result: we float between curiosity, uncertainty, and satisfaction. These in-between areas of life are where we find ourselves when we are receiving healthcare, and even when we are providing it. There is an invaluable space for art in our health and well-being.”
Claire de Boer, NOAH Board of Directors

The Penn State College of Medicine Center Stage Arts in Health is dedicated to creating a healthcare environment that integrates the positive power of art, music and creativity across our medical community.

More than 100 people from around the state registered for the event. The symposium was also attended by several NOAH Board Members from across the country. Individuals represented state arts agencies, educators, artists, arts managers, art therapists, music therapists, child life specialists, chaplains, medical students, nurses, medical residents, patients, volunteers, science researchers, hospital administrators and development personnel.

Overview

On April 4-5, 2019, Center Stage Arts in Health, in the Department of Humanities of the Penn State College of Medicine, hosted the inaugural Pennsylvania Arts in Health Symposium in Hershey, Pa. The purpose was to ignite a regional network as part of the National Organization for Arts in Health. As part of the network, we plan to delineate opportunities for artists to partner with healthcare centers. We are committed to our art community and hope to spur opportunities and networking for artists around the state.
The event consisted of an opening reception with welcome remarks provided by Karl Blischke, executive director of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency that sponsored the symposium. Participants viewed an art installation by an employee artist. The following day was a full curriculum of presentations, interspersed with participatory visual and performing arts. The symposium culminated in networking dinner hosted by the Penn State College of Medicine Department of Humanities.

Symposium Objectives

Our network will positively affect the arts community in the commonwealth as we intend to raise awareness of the benefits of Arts in Health – a growing movement – and offer ways for people to engage and ignite programs in Pennsylvania. The symposium was geared to provide education for artists, healthcare providers, researchers, philanthropists and hospital administrators on the field of Arts in Health. The presentations covered program, funding and evaluation models; existing research in the field; conducting Arts in Health research; professionalization for artists; how the arts can address specific challenges, such as patient satisfaction and provider burnout.