Minneapolis, U.S.A. — Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota received the top international award for “Use of Art in the Patient Environment” from the International Academy of Design and Health for its program “Arts & Healing and Urban Renewal.”

Partnering with Aesthetics Inc., the program was selected out of almost 100 submissions from organizations representing more than 30 countries around the world. The award honors organizations specifically for professional excellence and ability to bring research and design into creating a health-promoting environment.

Children’s multi-pronged “Arts & Healing and Urban Renewal” program creates a warm, creative atmosphere to promote healing and enhance the child and family experience, engages patients in hands-on art projects, and forges partnerships with community organizations.

“Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota implemented a research-based healing arts program that is both broad and innovative and possesses salutgenic qualities,” said Prof Alan Dilani, director-general at International Academy of Design and Health. “This program has made a positive difference for children dealing with medical issues and is an international model for other children’s hospitals.”

From the first moment of entering Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis or St. Paul through diagnosis, treatment and discharge, patients and families are immersed in an environment designed to support healing and promote inner resilience.

Children’s Arts & Healing and Urban Renewal project, which was launched in January 2010, has been entirely supported through the generosity of the community, through individual, corporate and government grants. The program has been well received by patients and families with 80 percent indicating in a survey that they stop and personally interact with the art. In addition, for children participating in the hands-on art projects, 41 percent said they felt better after the project.

“A growing body of evidence suggests the integration of arts positively contributes to health outcomes and the health care experience for patients, families and staff,” said Theresa Pesch, RN, executive director, Children’s Foundation, and VP, Development, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. “We believe that the experience of art is healing and designed an integrated program where our patients and families can view and interact with art, make art and watch live performances.”

To bring the arts program to life, Children’s partnered with leading community organizations: COMPASS, MacPhail Center for Music, the Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Institute of the Arts and the Minneapolis Children’s Museum. Children’s recently added partnerships with the Guthrie Theater and the Science Museum of Minnesota.

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