District celebrates the role of The Arts in healthcare.

Sydney Local Health District has launched its 2023 March Arts Festival which celebrates the integral role The Arts play in improving the health and wellbeing of patients, staff and the community.  

This year, there is a return to face-to-face creative arts activities at Balmain, Canterbury, Concord, Sydney Dental and RPA hospitals during March Arts – with the festival held virtually during the past two years.  

“The Arts play a significant role in healthcare – motivating, inspiring and connecting staff, patients, their families and the community,” Dr Teresa Anderson, the District’s Chief Executive, said. 

“It is vital that we acknowledge the benefits that The Arts can have on our health and wellbeing and continue our work to further incorporate The Arts in our hospitals, facilities and services.” 

To kick-off March Arts, the District has launched a permanent exhibition of 3D-printed sculptures created by RPA Institute of Academic Surgery’s Surgical Innovations Manager, Kai Cheng, and artist Simon Fieldhouse.  

The sculptures depict surgical scenes and will be on display on Level Five in the main building at RPA. 

Throughout March, the District’s Artist in Residence, photographer Dara Kretschmer, will visit all the District’s hospitals, to showcase her artwork Manus – portraits of hands printed on perspex. 

The artwork explores the importance of the sense of touch in delivering patient care and patients, staff and the community will have the opportunity to contribute to an artwork Dara creates which is to be displayed in the District. 

The District's Musician in Residence, Alison Eom, will accompany Dara and play the viola to ensure a calm environment during these visits.  

The Arterie@RPA team will visit RPA’s recovery wards offering interactive and artistic activities to patients and carers to provide distraction and enjoyment. 

There will also be art workshops for junior medical officers, live musical performances and cultural immersion activities with First Nations artists.  

The winners of the RPA Anatomical Pathology Building Photography Competition will be announced, with their images to be displayed in the team’s new building.  

New artworks at the District’s hospitals, facilities and services will also be spotlighted during March Arts. 

The Arterie@RPA team will also be highlighting its work at the Ministry of Health as part of a project that features key creative arts and health programs in NSW.  

For more information about March Arts 2023 events please see www.slhdarts.org