Between 2009 and 2011, we worked with Tate to develop a new art loan programme to meet the needs of young patients...

As adults, our experiences of care can be stressful and upsetting. Often we are in unfamiliar surroundings, we may be in pain, and we may be waiting for long periods in anxiety. For children and younger people, these experiences can be even more difficult. Young children may not fully understand what is going on around and being done to them. Even if they are old enough to understand the need, their experiences can still be those of confusion, isolation and fear.

We know that visual art can help change our experience of care for the better. From 2009 and 2011, we developed a new art loan programme adapted to the needs of younger patients: our Art for Children & Young People programme.

More specifically, we were keen to work collaboratively with younger people to develop a dedicated collection of artworks for them and build a sustainable framework for the future.

Carolina Melis & Susanne Flender, As the Crow Flies (still), 2005. Part of the Paintings in Hospitals collection.

We worked with Tate Collective, Tate's youth forum, and recruited a panel of young people who helped develop collecting guidelines and to commission new artworks. Through the project, the young panel selected a series of animations from the Animate Projects library and commissioned three new works by brilliant UK-born, NYC-based artist Jon Burgerman.

Jon Burgerman, Untitled (Orange), 2010. Part of the Paintings in Hospitals collection.

Collaborating with the Tate Youth Forum meant that young people were at the heart of the decision-making process from the start. Our Art for Children & Young People has enabled hundreds of health and social care facilities across the country to create more comforting and engaging environments for thousands of younger people.

See more of our past projects...

Banner image: Barnaby Barford, Damaged Goods (still), 2008.