The Healing Ark
Central to The Ark's vision is the belief that children have cultural entitlements equal to any
adult. In 2000 The Ark set up The Ark Cultural Trust for Children to help implement a number of
strategic touring, outreach and multiplier initiatives that would increase its accessibility for
children. One of the initiatives set up under The Ark Cultural Trust for Children was The Healing Ark.
2000-2004
The Healing Ark sought to promote an arts agenda within children's healthcare settings
through a variety of means, including, loaning of artworks, commissioning of new artworks,
supporting artists and musicians in residence and contracting performances and workshops. A core belief of The Healing Ark at the outset was that children in hospital benefit from a connection with the arts, whether through creative activities, through participation as part of an audience for an arts event, or by being surrounded by a well designed creative environment. The Healing Ark worked for four years with The Children's University Hospital, Temple Street funding artworks for the Accident and Emergency, X-Ray and Day Ward Development and also running a two-year Artists in Residency programme in the hospital. It has also worked with Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, contributing
resources to commissioning of artworks, drama workshops, musical and theatrical performances.
2005
In winter 2004 The Ark commissioned an appraisal of work conduccted over the four year period of the pilot project. All activity taking place within both hospitals was suspended for this review. The main recommendation arising from the appraisal is to develop a Joint Arts {For Children} Committee (JAC) drawing staff, jointly, from the 3 Dublin pediatric hospitals. The purpose is to develop sustainable practices and resources to provide arts programmes for children attending hospital. Specifically this would involve:
- Developing an integral joint arts policy
- Establishing structures and developing to implement arts practices
- Commissioning Artwork (percent for art)
- Loaning/Receiving Artwork
- Developing Artist in Residency schemes
- Commissioning Drama and Music Performances
- Fundraising
This proposal is currently under review by The Ark Board of Directors and relevant hospitals.
