Children’s Hospital Invites Local Artists to Brighten Cancer Ward

The Health Sciences Centre Children’s Hospital is launching a creative initiative by inviting local artists to contribute original, child-friendly nature-themed artworks for the CK5 ward. This area specializes in treating childhood cancer, blood disorders, and transplants, and aims to enhance the environment for young patients and their families.

This art project is part of a larger initiative, with the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba spearheading a comprehensive $2.5 million campaign. This campaign will renovate various spaces within the hospital, including 15 patient rooms, treatment areas, a family lounge, and nursing stations, impacting the daily experiences of hundreds of children and their families.

Artists from regions served by the hospital, including Manitoba, northwestern Ontario, Nunavut, and parts of Saskatchewan, are encouraged to submit fully developed digital artworks. The foundation is focusing on nature scenes to create a calming and relatable atmosphere for the children. “Our aim is to bring a little bit of light into the rooms,” said Stefano Grande, president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation. He emphasized the importance of integrating various elements of nature that resonate with children, making the ward a more enjoyable space.

Submissions will be managed through the community youth arts centre, Graffiti Art Programming (GAP). Since the invitation was issued last week, the project has already received 36 artworks, reflecting a strong community response. Stephen Wilson, executive director of GAP, noted, “Artists are truly answering the call to help support kids. We hope staff will also benefit from the artwork. It’s an emotionally charged environment, and there’s a vast community of artists out there supporting the work and healing done in the hospital.”

A committee comprising art professionals, hospital donors, staff, and families who have previously received treatment in CK5 will select up to 20 original works for the project. Artists are required to submit one completed digital design suitable for large-format vinyl printing. The selected artworks will be printed on hospital-grade vinyl, ensuring durability and ease of maintenance. Each artist whose work is chosen will receive $3,000 as compensation.

The deadline for submissions is set for February 2, 2024, with successful artists expected to be notified by February 20. This marks the first significant infrastructure upgrade for the CK5 ward since the early 1980s, and the initiative reflects a commitment to improving the hospital experience for children and their families.

For more information about the project and submission guidelines, interested artists can visit the Hospital Foundation’s official page.