The inception of the Art Committee of Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo was the result of an interest to create an environment that is welcoming and therapeutic for patients, their families and the staff that care for them. Their goal is to enhance the hospital environment because evidence shows a direct correlation between patients’ recovery and their environment. While art is not central to the function of a hospital, there are many benefits that art can bring to the healthcare environment. Like architecture and interior design, the artwork that we have around us can significantly influence the way we feel on a day to day basis.

The Art Committee at the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo has developed a collection of art for display at the hospital.  To date, “The Gallery of Giving” has grown to include over 250 works from the artists of all ages of Western New York.

The committee, responsible to the President of WCHOB, is governed by the by-laws of the committee entitled Art at WCHOB. The by-laws were created with the assistance of the Burchfield-Penny Art Center staff. They outline the methodology for the acquisition, documentation, storing, insurance, etc. of the collection.

The Art Committee consists of several subcommittees to assist in the management of the program named “The Gallery of Giving.”. There are currently 3 exhibits per year. A Selection committee juries the incoming donations to ensure that the work is uplifting and deemed appropriate for a hospital setting.  The artist’s work is then displayed on the Art Committee website. The art is professionally framed and placed on exhibit in the Kaleida Kafe’. There an opening reception is held for the children and their families. The child or adult who donates his/her work receives a certificate of appreciation that will include a photograph of their donated piece. The exhibit then remains on display for 3-4 months. At the conclusion of the exhibit the work is permanently installed in the hospital.
Other subcommittees oversee the place and hanging of the art. Ultimately the committee will also be responsible for the care and preservation of WCHOB’s collection.

While art is not central to the function of a hospital, there are many benefits that art can bring to the healthcare environment. Like architecture and interior design, the artwork that we have around us can significantly influence the way we feel on a day-to-day basis.

Ultimately our goal is to:
• Humanize the hospital by creating an environment that is non-threatening and welcoming.
• Use art to express health and social well-being.
• Change people's perceptions of our hospital for the better.
• Make the hospital less daunting for its users.
• Raise staff morale by making their environment less 'clinical'.
• Improve the public’s perception of our organization.
• Engage children in the community to create art for the hospital and increase their
   awareness of the hospital