The Art of Living and Dying

1. The Art of Living and Dying An Art Plan for Highland Hospice Robert Livingston

2. Highland Hospice Now

3. Highland Hospice as it will be

4. Art Room ‘Loss Becomes Object’: Exhibition by Tracy Mackenna and Edwin Jannsen from Highland Hospice residency Wall hanging

5. Visual Clutter!

6. Helen Denerley Dreaming Spires, Edinburgh Duloch Park, Dunfermline

7. First Impressions

8. Designs by Jane Derbyshire and David Kendall Ltd

9. Consultation: • Being available for staff and volunteers • Meeting patients • Offering examples of Highland artists work • Opening up the concept of ‘Making Space’ • Close liaison with the Design team • One to one interviews, focus groups • Becoming a focus for concerns—breaking down silos • High level of engagement and support

10. Arts Policy The value of involving the arts in healthcare, and specifically in end of life care, has been extensively documented, both nationally and internationally and is demonstrated in the Hospice’s current activities and past projects. The purpose of this Arts Policy is to maximise the value from any arts intervention by providing a framework for integrating the arts more fully and consistently into the Hospice’s core operations. It does this by defining a purpose and a method for that integration. With this Arts Policy in place we hope to fulfil our vision to see Highland Hospice recognised as a leader in demonstrating the value of the arts in end of life care.

11. What we learned To shed our own preconceptions To try to alter Creative Scotland’s preconceptions Not to fear being bold

12. Three Elements to the Arts in a Hospice Environment: • Direct participation by patients and relatives in arts-related activities • Enabling a sympathetic physical environment for patients, relatives, staff and volunteers, and providing the means for these groups to benefit from consolation, engagement and stimulation • The arts and artists acting as intermediaries to promote a greater awareness and understanding of the Hospice’s work and philosophy

13. Above all: In any arts intervention in the hospice context, the impact on clinical procedures and patient care is the over-riding factor.

14. Next steps: Capital application to Creative Scotland Formalising Arts Committee Possible Arts Fund-raising Committee Applying to Funders, especially new CS ‘Open Projects’ scheme Keeping momentum going! For a copy of the Art Policy, email: a.leaver@highlandhospice.org.uk