In seeking more clients for your art it would be worth your while to consider the health care industry. As Barbara Markoff states in her book Becoming A Corporate Art Consultant: The Handbook for Corporate Art Consultation, (available through Amazon.com), “Art budgets are factored in when preliminary budgets for furniture, lighting, signage, floor and wall treatments, and other essential furnishings are presented to project managers during the early stages of construction.”
To our delight, Markoff adds, “Artwork is no longer looked at as frivolous; it is an integral part of the design plan.” Markoff should know. She is a leading art consultant with many clients in the health care sector and also the co-owner of Artrageous! in San Diego, California. She also has a background as an art therapist, which gives her an appreciation for the healing benefits of art. You will find her article on The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website.
If you need to be convinced that this venue holds promise for you as an artist, consider that the needs for art in the health care sector are continuously growing in sync with demographics. For instance, as the senior population increases, the need to enhance different medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics, senior living residences, and dental and medical offices has been on the rise. Health practitioners are recognizing the importance of providing aesthetically pleasing environments for patients and their visitors as well as for employees.
In addition to placing artwork that provides benefits from an aesthetic perspective, Markoff knows the importance of artwork in these facilities from a practical, functional point of view. As she explains, “It also assists with way-finding. Artwork helps clarify the boundaries of public and non-public areas of hospitals. Common areas displaying artwork are entrances, waiting rooms, corridors, patient rooms and cafeterias.”
Choosing the right art for the locale requires a set of criteria. The selection of artwork for health care facilities is a multifaceted process that consists of an art consultant working as part of a design team. Markoff refers to “a committee of decision makers such as the project manager, architect, interior designer, facilities manager and administrators” that makes art selections.
You may be wondering if your art would be a good fit for this market. Markoff reminds us, “In hospitals, the goals of the design team are to incorporate the benefits of environmental sustainability while designing an uplifting environment conducive to healing.”
Although the type of artwork specified for one particular facility will vary depending on the population being served, keep in mind nature-inspired subject matter and color palettes are preferred. Markoff states, “The artwork selected is theme based, with the most common theme being nature and its beauty.” Trends should also be considered, as Markoff advises, “In this era of environmental concern, it is compulsory that architects and designers adapt to integrating new systems that affect external and internal factors such as energy efficiency, water use and indoor air quality.”
In her book Becoming A Corporate Art Consultant, Markoff points out that LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, “plays a significant role in directing green design of new and future medical facilities with incentives and ratings awarded for sustainability and environmental protection.”
I encourage you to keep an eye on this burgeoning field and I look forward to sharing more articles including a series of interviews with art consultants and artists who have received art for healthcare commissions on The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website.
Renée Phillips, The Artrepreneur Coach, helps artists attain their highest potential. She offers a free email newsletter on renee-phillips.com. As founder/director of Manhattan Arts International she rewards artistic excellence through curated art programs. As founder of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS she, and her editorial team, write about the many benefits of art for individuals and our society.
