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In addition to hospital staff, the Creative Arts Program also welcomes the support of volunteers and community partnerships. Local artists, musicians, museums, and camps visit the hospital on a regular basis to support our patients and families in a creative way.

Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Boston

The ICA’s Health and Social Service Youth Partnerships enable the museum to make a greater impact in Boston neighborhoods by offering hospital patients access to contemporary art experiences. These experiences take the form of studio lessons, developed by teaching artists, that focus on contemporary art. Through the ICA’s partnership with Boston Children’s, patients participate in an open studio space that supports and encourages their creativity via direct encounters with art making and discussion.

For more information about this program contact the ICA’s Community Outreach Coordinator at cthervil@icaboston.org.

Learn about the ICA.

Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston

Artful Healing, a program of the MFA, offers art-making activities to patients and their families at Boston Children’s. These art workshops are inspired by the MFA’s world-renowned collections and provide a fun and creative experience for participants undergoing medical treatment.

Each workshop begins with a slideshow of images from the MFA’s collection, chosen to focus around a particular theme, ranging from animals to ancient jewelry. Participants have an opportunity to “explore” the MFA and connect with artworks and then make art in a hands-on activity related to what they have seen. From Chinese brush painting to sculpting with clay, the activities are varied and use studio-quality art materials. The result is a beautiful piece of art the patient can keep.

MFA Artful Healing instructors are trained and experienced art educators who collaborate closely with hospital staff and will adapt to any specific needs. Scholarships to MFA studio art classes and admission passes are also available to interested families.

Learn about Artful Healing.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

The Hospital Outreach Program (HOP) allows us to bring the joy and fun of Hole in the Wall beyond the campgrounds to children and families in a hospital setting. Taking the activities and experiences of camp and transporting them to kids’ bedsides and playrooms, the program helps restore friendship and laughter in a time of fear, stress, and uncertainty.

From arts and crafts to interactive games, HOP activities are inspired by the summer camp program, but are specially adapted to each unique hospital and clinic setting. And just like at camp, all interactions are child-driven, restoring choice — something children undergoing medical treatment so often lack.

Learn about the Hospital Outreach Program.