Outside In is an annual program of vibrant and engaging visual art exhibitions that transform our hospital environments across both St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane and Northside.
Outside In aims to provide hospital patients with a connection to the outside world and gives artists the opportunity to show their work in a unique way to a wide audience, positively influencing patient outcomes.
Outside In is part of the Arts in Health Program at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane and Northside, which aims to provide patients, their family members and our staff with encounters with the arts that enhance the environment and support their spiritual, emotional and physical health and well-being, in line with the Hospital’s Mission and Values. These encounters seek to motivate, inspire, orientate and provide diversion, capitalising on the unique capacity of the arts to deeply impact the human experience.
Key details
We are looking for artworks that provide our patients with a connection to the outside world, that will stimulate encounters with people, places and experiences beyond the hospital itself. Artworks that provide opportunities for positive reflection and contemplation, engage memory and recognition, inspiration and motivation.
Artworks are displayed in the main foyers, public corridors and wards of both hospitals Exhibition spaces in the hospitals are allocated based on proposed number of artworks in an exhibition, artwork dimensions and subject/content. Exhibitions are typically displayed for a duration of six months. Our Arts in Health Program Coordinator will arrange suitable exhibition timing with each artist individually.
Artists should note that exhibiting within a hospital environment is very different to exhibiting within an art gallery. Artworks may be placed alongside hospital signage and equipment that can be quite visually ‘busy’. Our experience is that this does not detract from the artworks. In fact, the artworks become more valuable because they bring beauty, interest and feeling of ‘home’ to individuals in an otherwise clinical space.
Specifications
- We accept 2D hanging artworks in a range of mediums. Please be aware that any artwork hanging in the hospital wards needs to be able to be wiped with cleaning products for infection control. This generally limits the artwork selection to framed works behind glass or similar.
- Artists are required to provide artwork that is ready for installation on the hospital hanging system. All work must be fitted with secure d-rings.
- Artworks are to remain on display for the full 6 month exhibition period. Exhibitions are scheduled to take place in one of the two exhibition periods on offer (July – December 2020 or January – June 2021).
- There is no fee to exhibit at the hospital
- We do not offer any form of financial assistance (i.e. transport allowance).
- All works on display are available for sale. We retain a 20% commission from the sale of the work to support the Arts in Health Program.
Selection criteria
Our Arts in Health Committee is guided by the following selection criteria when reviewing all proposals:
- The artwork is aligned to the exhibition theme ‘Outside In’.
- The artwork supports the aim of our Arts Program.
- The artwork perpetuates the vision of our Mission and Values.
- The artwork is appropriate given the hospital setting.
- The artwork has the potential to evoke positive thoughts and feelings to support the best outcomes for our patients, their families and our staff.
Image: Anne Wood
