Community Engagement: Why Some Hospital Art Programs Continue to Grow
Successful art programs can engage the community long after opening day. A well-developed art program expands hospital boundaries and makes the most of internal and external resources by establishing ongoing relationships within the community.
With added value becoming the standard expectation, new and replacement hospitals seek opportunities to sustain opening day interest and excitement without incurring additional expenses. Art programs present the perfect opportunity for dynamic initiatives that maximize the energy of opening day and continue to foster community connections. Think of a healthcare art program as having a pulse that reflects interest and positive community response. When a new facility opens, the community is in a buzz. Newspapers run feature stories, donors are in the spotlight and all is shiny and new. A year later, other priorities take precedence. As one facility manager put it, “People have moved in and our facility is less shiny.”