The Healing Arts Program

Our Mission—

The mission of the Healing Arts Program is to support our patient and family-centered care philosophy by enhancing the healing environment in patient care areas through the utilization of musical, visual, and a variety of performing and participatory arts.

About the Program—

The program was developed by Volunteer Services and is co-sponsored by the MCG Arts Council. Program development and daily operations are coordinated through Volunteer Services.

The Healing Arts Program is incorporated into a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient care areas, which serve adults, children and families. The program utilizes volunteers who are visual artists, musicians, performers, and those interested in the arts to provide an array of artistic services, such as:

• Playing live music in a variety of patient care areas
• Creating hands-on art projects with hospitalized and seriously ill children
• Participating in rotating art displays including sculpture, tapestries, quilts, drawings and paintings

  Elizabeth Barnes, Artist in Residence, works with young patient at the Children's Medical Center. Photo by Bill Bengston with the North Augusta Star, used with permission.

• Facilitating room visits with the Imagination Cart
• Participating in Pet Therapy
• Providing other art related special events.

Artists may participate in the Healing Arts Program in the following ways:

• Artist in Residence (AIR)- Must have a degree in the arts or be highly proficient in the field, such as a music student or art major/minor. Artists commit to a weekly schedule or specified number of hours of service. Artists receive a small stipend in conjunction with level of service commitment and fund availability.
  
• Guest Artist- Must be proficient in their field of art and provide services on a one-time, limited, or periodic basis.

The Healing Arts Program is designed to offer a variety of schedules and services based on the needs of our patients and families. We offer flexible schedules for our artists, including weekly, monthly and occasional visits. All artists and program participants must abide by program rules and applicable artist agreements.

For more information about the Healing Arts Program, please contact:

Julie Moretz
Director of Family Services Development
MCG Health System
1120 15th Street
Augusta, GA 30912
706/721-4790
jmoretz@mail.mcg.edu

Links to related groups and activities—

Society for the Arts in Healthcare