A community partnership initiative means art is reaching new audiences in Coventry Herbert Art Gallery & Museum is working with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) to put colourful exhibitions based on the museum’s collections in hospital corridors.
It is hoped the initiative will bring interesting and enjoyable new displays to hospital users and visitors, while supporting patient recovery and making a trip to hospital less frightening.
Funded entirely by donations to UHCW Charity, the programme’s initial display consists of three showcases with objects loaned from the museum’s toy collection and a number of high quality images of toys and games from the collection which are framed and mounted on the wall.
Based in the main corridor leading to the outpatients department, the exhibition, which is set to be in place for an initial six months, is expected to be subject to lots of footfall due to its location.
UHCW Charity Director, Jo O’Sullivan, said: “Thanks to donations from our fantastic local supporters, Arts at UHCW makes visits to our hospitals so much better for patients and their families, through collections like this on site.
“You can help this wonderful work to continue by donating to UHCW Charity online at https://www.uhcwcharity.org.”
Martin Roberts, Curatorial Manager at the Herbert, added: “We’re thrilled to be working with the hospital for this wonderful programme.
“Everyone should have access to art and museums, so this is an opportunity for the Herbert to reach new audiences.
“But hopefully the colourful vibrancy of the display will also make the hospital less daunting for in-patients and visitors alike.”