NSW Health Infrastructure Arts and Health Award announced

Museums & Galleries of NSW and Health Infrastructure congratulate Boomalli Aboriginal Artist Cooperative for their project, Artist led consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders for aesthetic interventions in emergency department waiting rooms.

The St Vincent’s Hospital Emergency Department waiting room serves a multitude of community members, including a high number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. While some efforts have been made to make this a culturally competent, welcoming space, it can still be intimidating and confronting for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.

St Vincent’s Arts Health program, in collaboration with Boomalli Aboriginal Artist Cooperative, propose to manage a first-stage creative, artist-led, community consultation process to explore potential aesthetic interventions to be incorporated into St Vincent’s Emergency Department waiting rooms.

At the end of the consultation process, an artist from Boomalli Aboriginal Artist Cooperative will create a visual response to the workshop’s outcomes. This artwork will be exhibited alongside workshop outcomes to highlight the process and developmental work undertaken to invite further input and feedback from community members.

The NSW Health Infrastructure Art and Health Award is a partnership between Museums & Galleries of NSW and NSW Health Infrastructure. It aims to acknowledge the significant role played by galleries and museums across the State in enhancing the well-being and health outcomes of communities in New South Wales.

The award highlights the importance of cultural projects that are promoting health and well-being; building capacity for arts in healthcare and those that foster partnerships between cultural centres and Local Health Districts.

A cash award of $10,000 to support the project was presented at the 2023 IMAGinE Awards, held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, on Wednesday the 29th November.

Brett Adlington, CEO, Museums & Galleries of NSW said that this project is an affirmation of the pivotal role that galleries and museums play in enhancing the well-being and health outcomes of communities across New South Wales.

The Boomalli Aboriginal Artist Cooperative endeavour is not just about creating art; it’s about co-creating a healing space that resonates with the diverse needs of our community, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.’ Mr Adlington said.

Rebecca Wark, Chief Executive, Health Infrastructure was delighted to be partnering with Museums & Galleries of NSW on this award.

“In highlighting the importance of cultural projects that promote health and well-being, build capacity for arts in healthcare, and foster partnerships with Local Health Districts, this award reinforces our shared commitment to creating a brighter and healthier future for all.,” Ms Wark said

The NSW Health Infrastructure Arts and Health Award is proudly supported by NSW Health Infrastructure.