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Project/initiative|Croatia

Center for Arts and Medicine

Project title

Centar za umjetnost i medicinu

Description of initiative

Since its establishment in 2016, the Center for Arts and Medicine has formalized a range of activities at the University Hospital for Tumors, utilizing art to better integrate individuals with malignant diseases or alleviate the stigma of such conditions. Starting with a series of exhibitions in 2011 with the creation of the Panacea gallery, the center has opened up to realms not typically found in hospital spaces. The ensuing interaction between artists/artworks and space users (patients/families/friends/staff) has spurred further actions, including concerts, a literary club, movement/dance therapy, and music and art therapy. Beyond continuous medical treatment, the center aims to improve the quality of life, ease hospital stays, help families understand the disease, and raise awareness of disease prevention while reducing stress among patients, families, and hospital staff. The overarching goal is to present malignant diseases as chronic conditions with a perspective for a normal future life if timely recognized.

Further information on the initiative

Themes: Culture and...

Individual well-being
Community well-being
Quality of spaces and built environments
Quality of services for specific groups
Work and workplace well-being

Keywords

music, visual arts, oncology, hospital

Target group

Not targeted to a specific group

Cultural field

Dance | Design | Literature | Museums | Music | Visual arts

Timeframe

2011 - ongoing

Results, benefits, impact and lessons learnt

Over the past twelve years, the collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts has resulted in over 40 exhibitions, and the MuK (Music in Clinics) series has brought 30 walk-in concerts to the hospital. In the last two years, 430 patients and family members participated in Center-organized activities. The impact of receptive music therapy and opera singers' breathing exercises on patient recovery led to the routine practice introduction of yoga breathing exercises. The main strategy involves introducing new programs through pilots and small project funding, aiming to professionalize the service for long-term effects by evaluating user responses. They are now trying to make the case for funding within the healthcare system.

Organizer(s)

Klinika za tumore, KBC Sestre milosrdnice
Croatia
Public / State | Health

Partner(s)

Akademija likovnih umjetnosti (Zagreb)
Croatia
Public / State | Culture
Institut za gastroenterološke tumore
Croatia
NGO / Non-profit | Health
Muzička akademija Zagreb
Croatia
Public / State | Culture