MK Arts for Health Work in the community
aim to make a difference, by improving and enriching our environment and the local community MK Arts for Health
MK Arts for Health aims ‘To enhance health and healing through creativity’
What do we do? introduce exciting new artwork and cultural experiences to our local community
place design and art in health care environments to improve the quality of the environment and assist with way-finding
improve health and social well-being by making healthcare environments more welcoming, and even enjoyable places to work, visit or use
Highlights of completed projects
Artists Training Residencies Mentored Artists residency/training scheme within Milton Keynes Hospital
Treatment Centre Commissions specific artworks for the newly constructed £12m Hospital Treatment Centre
Healthy Heritage Phase 1 centred around a collection of watercolours of Milton Keynes landmarks, donated to Buckinghamshire County Museum. featured as an exemplar project in the Department of Health/Arts Council England commissioned publication: A Prospectus for Art and Health, 2007
Creative Courtyards Scheme part of a series of practically based research schemes largely funded by the Department of Health. selected hospital courtyards were re-designed through collaboration with artists, staff and volunteers
Current Projects
Creative Courtyards Scheme Explorer Scouts have taken over maintenance of the courtyard spaces and are designing their own garden for the hospital.
Healthy Heritage Phase II: Out of Clay based around an exhibition of historic and contemporary pottery from the local area, exhibited in the Cardiology Waiting Area in Milton Keynes Hospital
Falls Prevention Arts Programme training care workers about the role of creativity within care. Using a different approach to preventing falls, by focussing on relationships between staff and residents
Music in Milton Keynes Hospital a series of concerts within the hospital featuring a range of music
Milton Keynes Hospital Teaching Hospital for the Arts teaching partnership with the School of Health at Northampton University
Poetry for Waiting Areas in GP surgeries in Milton Keynes poetry produced in creative writing sessions with patients is displayed in 85% of Milton Keynes GP surgeries. I joined a group called Creative Writing So scared I found it frightening One week, two weeks, three weeks More Lovely people I quite Adore Now this group called Creative Writing It’s not so bad, Not so Frightening In fact I find it rather Exciting This wonderful Creative Writing Gary
Arts on Prescription Arts on Prescription programme to be rolled out inter-regionally with partner organisations in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire
Capital projects artwork is included in programme of expansion and refurbishment at Milton Keynes Hospital.
Working with volunteers Intern programme Courtyard gardeners Project volunteers Art Trail Tour Guides Arts Volunteer Committee Opportunities for people who have been treated under our ‘Arts on Prescription’ project
For further information please visit our website Helen Taylor, Director