Organizer Information
rb&hArts is the official arts program of the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust in London, United Kingdom. Established in 2002, rb&hArts has built a strong reputation for integrating high-quality artistic practices into clinical environments. The program is dedicated to enhancing patient well-being, improving healthcare spaces, and fostering meaningful engagement between artists, patients, and medical staff.
Over the years, rb&hArts has developed a diverse portfolio that includes a permanent collection of over 1,200 artworks, site-specific commissions, participatory workshops, and live arts programming such as music in hospital wards. The initiative reaches more than 5,000 participants annually, emphasizing the transformative role of art in healthcare settings. Their commissions are often rooted in collaboration, encouraging artists to work closely with communities to co-create meaningful and accessible artworks.
Title & Description
Healthcare Art Commission UK: rb&hArts Clinical exercise testing rooms commission
rb&hArts invites professional artists to submit proposals for a site-specific art commission at the Royal Brompton Hospital in Chelsea, London. This project focuses on the transformation of two Exercise Physiology testing rooms, where patients with heart and lung conditions undergo monitored physical assessments.
The commission seeks to introduce visually engaging, calming, and interactive artworks that enhance the clinical environment and improve patient experience during testing procedures. These rooms are unique in that patients often spend extended periods focusing on a fixed point while undergoing treadmill-based assessments. As such, the artworks should serve as stable visual anchors, helping reduce dizziness, anxiety, and discomfort.
Artists are encouraged to create works that are rich in detail and layered in meaning, offering multiple points of engagement. The artworks should be suitable for a wide audience, including children and adults, and should facilitate interaction between healthcare staff and patients—especially as a tool for distraction and emotional comfort.
A key aspect of this commission is its co-creation approach. The selected artist will collaborate with hospital staff, patients, and visitors through workshops and consultations, ensuring that the final work reflects the lived experiences and needs of the hospital community.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Installation
- Public Art
- Site-specific Art
- Healthcare Art / Social Practice
- Participatory Art
- Community-based Art
Eligibility
- Open to professional artists based in the United Kingdom
- Suitable for artists with experience in public art, healthcare environments, or community engagement
- Applicants must demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups, including patients and medical staff
- Strong interest in socially engaged and participatory practices is highly desirable
- Artists must be capable of delivering a durable and low-maintenance final installation
Program Benefits & Awards
- Total commission budget: £4,500 (incl. VAT)
This includes:- Artist research and development
- Design and concept development
- Workshop facilitation and co-creation activities
- Fabrication and production costs
- Installation of final artwork
- Opportunity to create a permanent artwork in a leading UK hospital
- Professional exposure within a respected healthcare arts program
- Experience in collaborative, socially engaged art practice
- Contribution to improving patient wellbeing and clinical environments
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- A brief project proposal (maximum 1 A4 page), including:
- Artistic approach and concept
- Methodology for co-creation and engagement
- Portfolio with examples of previous work
- Links to website and/or social media
- One JPEG image representing previous work (for panel presentation)
Alternatively, applications can be submitted via an online form (if accessible).
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 17 May 2026
- Consultation & Workshops: June 2026
- First Design Submission: July 2026
- Final Design Deadline: End of August 2026
- Installation Period: September – October 2026
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- The commission includes two distinct surfaces:
- One plain wall
- One bay window with blinds
- Artwork must meet strict hospital standards, including:
- High durability and resistance to intensive cleaning
- Use of non-toxic and safe materials
- Compatibility with anti-bacterial painted surfaces
- The design must:
- Be inclusive and culturally sensitive
- Avoid offensive, explicit, or inappropriate imagery
- Appeal to a broad demographic (children, adults, diverse backgrounds)
- No ongoing maintenance should be required after installation
- The project prioritizes:
- Wellbeing and comfort
- Visual engagement and distraction
- Positive long-term patient experience