NHSGGC’s Arts and Health initiatives foster safe, welcoming environments and enhance the healthcare experience for patients, staff, and visitors. Through a person-centred and integrated approach, the programme leverages the positive impact of art, architecture, design, music, and nature on health and wellbeing.
Programmes are evidence-based and include public art commissions, creative workshops, and integrated design strategies across clinical buildings and green spaces. Developed in collaboration with artists, educators, voluntary sector organisations, and funders, the work celebrates Scotland’s creative talent.
Explore the programme highlights below, including innovative designs for clinical spaces and the role of arts in healthcare.
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Arts and Social Justice
The Arts and Health programme contributes to reducing health inequalities by improving access to the arts. It enhances care environments, supports treatment, and sparks dialogue that informs service improvement. Community-based creative health projects foster collaboration and strengthen local relationships.
Case Study: Black Mother and Baby Mural
Located at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital, this mural responds to campaigner Rachel Dallas’s work on maternal health inequalities. It has prompted meaningful conversations and cultural change within NHSGGC.
“It’s not just a mural”
Read more about the project here: Work completes on giant mural at Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Click on the image below to view our Arts and Social Justice gallery on Flickr.
Animating Public Spaces
This innovative programme brings performing arts, exhibitions, and artist residencies into healthcare settings, demonstrating the psychological and physiological benefits of cultural engagement. It provides opportunities for artists and partners to showcase work in clinical environments, often offering patients their only access to the arts.
Art and Green Spaces
Art is integrated into the design and enhancement of green spaces, promoting outdoor activity and wellbeing. Programmes span clinical and mental health sites and extend into neighbouring community areas.
Art Commissions in Green Spaces
Case Study: Moon Gate
Alec Finlay’s sculpture marks the entrance to New Stobhill Hospital, encouraging interaction with nature through poetry-engraved boulders, bird boxes, and seating. This project broadened architectural thinking to include surrounding landscapes.
Art in the Gart
At Gartnavel Royal Hospital, this long-standing initiative supports mental health recovery through exhibitions, public art, and green space activities. Inspired by patient creativity, it is sustained by volunteers and partnerships with organisations like Common Wheel and Project Ability.
The programme has influenced similar initiatives at Leverndale and Stobhill Hospitals.
Click on the image below to view our Art and Green Spaces gallery on Flickr.
Health by Design
This strand modernises healthcare environments through integrated art and design in new builds and refurbishments. Artists collaborate with architects and stakeholders to create therapeutic spaces.
Case Study: Dignified Spaces
Part of the South Glasgow University Hospital development, this project enhanced over 80 quiet rooms using biophilic design principles to support sensitive conversations.
Find out more: https://www.nicolamurray.com/work/case-studies/nsgh-dignified-spaces/
https://www.artinscotland.tv/2015/dignified-spaces-project/
Case Study: 100 Flowers
Curated by Clare Phillips for Ginkgo Projects, this collection features works by over 70 artists and is installed throughout the new hospital buildings.
Some other examples of our Health by Design initiatives:
Art in Medicine
Art in Hospital delivers a comprehensive visual arts programme across Glasgow and Scotland. Initially focused on older adults in long-term care, it now supports a wide range of patients, including those in rehabilitation, palliative care, and mental health services. The programme promotes wellbeing and self-expression through creative engagement.
Useful Resources
Creative and performing arts have a proven impact on health and wellbeing. NHSGGC’s programmes bring together professional artists and community organisations across diverse media including drawing and painting, printmaking, photography, textiles, video, dance, music and drama.
Explore more about our initiatives, partners, and research through the links below.
Arts in Health
The Buddy Beat
A Renfrewshire drumming group for adults with mental health experience, aimed at promoting social inclusion and helping people self-manage their week.
Culture Health & Wellbeing Alliance
Arts, Culture, Health & Wellbeing, Scotland (ACHWS)
ACHWS has developed into an active Scotland-wide network providing information and support for anyone working across arts and culture, health and wellbeing. It is a collective voice for arts and health in Scotland.
Music in Health
MacDonald, Raymond AR (2013)
Music, health and wellbeing: a review International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Health and Wellbeing
Common Wheel A charity that supports people managing or recovering from mental illness and dementia by providing meaningful activities.
Social Determinants of Health
Scottish Health Equity Research Unit (SHERU)
Leave No One Behind (2023) Report on the state of health and health inequalities in Scotland: https://www.health.org.uk/sites/default/files/upload/publications/2023/HF_Health_Scotland_Web_Final.pdf
Organisations
Project Ability Creating opportunities through inclusive art for all, providing a welcoming arts community for people with learning disabilities and mental ill-health.
Glasgow Medical Humanities Network
Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival
British Association of Art Therapists
Creative Health Research
Evidence summary for policy: The role of arts in improving health and wellbeing (2020)
Creative Scotland Arts and Health Map (2021) https://www.creativescotland.com/binaries/content/assets/creative-scotland/resources-and-publications/research/2022/creative-scotland-arts-and-health-mapping-report.pdf