Paintings in Hospitals

What is Available to Borrowers?

The Paintings in Hospitals Collection contains over 4,200 works of art from oil paintings, watercolours and prints to photographs, textiles and collages, many of which are by leading contemporary British artists. The collection is unique and diverse and continues to grow each year.

Some works are particularly suitable for display in reception areas, wards or corridors; others are appropriate for more intimate spaces like waiting areas or consulting rooms. The works which PiH loans are for display within public and patient areas and may not be used to decorate private offices, board rooms or administration blocks.

The collection is divided into three specific areas:

Main Loan Collection: paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, mixed media and textile pieces available for hospitals to borrow for a small rental fee, which contributes to the insurance and maintenance of the artworks.
Prints for Hospices: original artists, prints (not reproductions) available, for a small fee, on loan to hospices (maximum of 10 per hospice).
Touring Exhibitions: a series of works which have been selected by our Senior Curator for the purpose of short term loans. These works are most suited to organisations who wish to have a changing programme of artworks.

Delivery and installation of the artwork is not included in the loan and must be covered by the borrower. To make an appointment to view the available works from the collection please contact your nearest regional branch of Paintings in Hospitals.

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How Has the Collection Been Developed?

The growth of the Paintings in Hospitals collection is sustained through the generosity of many artists and individuals. In recent years the collection has aimed to reflect developments in contemporary art practice. New works for the collection are acquired on a regular basis, building the collection for the future and allowing even more hospitals to participate in the scheme. Works for the collection are acquired from a variety of sources including gifts and long term loans.

Pictures are selected by members of Paintings in Hospitals’ committee and occasionally by guest buyers. The range of the collection reflects both their diverse interests and the changing face of the contemporary art scene in Britain since the 1960s.

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Joining the Scheme

Healthcare organisations are required to hire a minimum of 10 pictures on a two or three year loan contract. Smaller healthcare facilities such as GP surgeries may hire a minimum of 5 pictures. Hospices joining the Prints for Hospices scheme are limited to a maximum of 10 prints each.

For the full Terms and Conditions and other guidance notes on using the scheme please select from the list of documents on the right.
After the initial loan period, art works are renewable for a further period of two or three years, after which time the borrower will be invited to choose a new selection. Borrowers are free to exchange some or all of their pictures at any time during the loan period at no extra charge, other than the cost of collection and delivery.

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Are the Pictures Insured?

All the pictures on loan are insured by Paintings in Hospitals subject to our standard terms and conditions. Please refer to our Insurance Policy for full details.

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Local Branch Finder

Please click on the regions of the map to see the regional branch for that area or click on the list of regional branch offices to the right.

Map of UK

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Main Loan Collection

Since the 1960s Paintings in Hospitals has endeavoured to build up a collection of original works of art (not reproductions) to be a source of interest and enjoyment to users of healthcare sites. In recent years the collection has started to include a number of works which are suitable for younger patients.

Works from the Main Loan Collection can be viewed on-line.

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Prints for Hospices

Our Prints for Hospices scheme was set up in 1989, with an initial grant from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, as a complement to our main collection. This collection contains over 500 prints and is available exclusively to hospices across the UK and Ireland.

All of the pictures in the Prints for Hospices Collection are original artists' prints (not reproductions). There are many different print-making techniques and the collection includes examples of many of these from lithography and screen-printing to etchings and lino-cuts. Prints in the collection have been selected for their quality, interest and likely appeal and new works are acquired on a regular basis from contemporary print-makers living and working around the United Kingdom.

Hospices are invited to select up to 10 prints for display in patients rooms and communal areas. Prints currently available for selection can be viewed by contacting Paintings in Hospitals.

Loans are made for a three year period and can be exchanged at any time for a new selection free of charge. Paintings in Hospitals recommends that borrowers refresh their selection every few years and may be asked to return particular works in exchange for new ones after a period of six years to enable other hospices to benefit.

All of the prints are framed under glass or perspex and are provided with labels and security fittings, which must be used when hanging in order to comply with our insurance policy. Delivery and installation of the prints is not included in the loan and must be covered by the borrower.

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Touring Exhibitions

Paintings in Hospitals has a selection of touring exhibitions, which are available to hire for a period of 6 or 12 months. These include:

Printed in Portugal

This exhibition comprises 28 prints by 24 different artists demonstrating various techniques. From the epic 'Ode Martima' by Bartolomeu dos Santos to the cartoon capers of 'O Amrio das Escovas' by Paula Rego, this exhibition draws together a diverse collection of images.

Cost: for 12 months £1400.00
Cost: for 6 months £840.00