Grit & Pearl were appointed by NHS Lothian in August 2009 to commission artworks for the £148m publicly funded new hospital for sick children, due to open in late 2012.
This project has involved extensive consultation with front line staff, patients, the client, design team, and external groups connected with the hospital. This in-depth approach ensures that all project proposals are rooted in a shared vision that can be accommodated into an overarching architectural and landscape design. From this consultation we created a report outlining 10 approaches to the art within the hospital. To initiate the commissions process we have commenced a series of mini-residencies within each department.
The Artist Residency programme for the Royal Hospital for Sick Kids is designed to have lasting benefits for all of the participants. The residencies will allow artists to spend time with staff and patients in order to obtain an in-depth understanding of the hospital environment. The residencies offer the opportunity to communicate thoughts and feelings on the role of arts in the new hospital. The artist will reflect, research, experiment and create new work through their contact with patients and staff.