MUSC Fosters Healing in New State-of-the Art Hospital
CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- In February when MUSC opens
the doors to Ashley River Tower, its new state-of-the-art hospital,
patients and visitors will experience the largest collection of original,
contemporary South Carolina art on permanent display.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080123/CLW134 )
Health professionals have known for decades that art has an impact on
healing, but more recent studies indicate that the presence of art in
hospitals can shorten recovery time and hospital stays and reduce stress
and anxiety for patients and caregivers. With this in mind, MUSC began
planning for original artwork to be included in every public area of its
new 641,000 square foot hospital including patient and exam rooms.
The exhibit "Contemporary Carolina Collection" showcases 873 original
works of art by a diverse group of 54 artists who live in South Carolina.
MUSC hired Mark Sloan of the Halsey Institute of Art at the College of
Charleston to serve as the collection's curator. A statewide call for
submissions in 2007 sparked the interest of 275 artists. A selection
committee identified 72 finalists for studio visits and interviews before
choosing the featured artists. The collection includes a variety of mediums
such as quilts, sweetgrass baskets, sculptures, paintings, Catawba pottery
and a bottle cap portrait of Philip Simmons. Artists represent diverse age,
race, ethnicity and backgrounds.
"Art is an important element in setting the tone for a healing
environment, and it has been shown to positively influence a number of
clinical measures," said MUSC President Ray Greenberg. "We chose to focus
on South Carolina artists to ground the hospital in its native state and to
provide a comforting and familiar environment for the patients and families
that we serve."
All funding for the artwork came from private donations. Working with
the Halsey Institute at the College of Charleston, considerable savings
were achieved in the costs of procuring, framing and installing the
artwork.
"This unique partnership between MUSC and the College of Charleston has
allowed for the creation of a remarkable collection of work by South
Carolina artists," said Mark Sloan, director of the Halsey Institute at the
College of Charleston. "This collection offers a cross-section of some of
the best artists in the state today."
The value of the integration of arts and a healing environment in a
healthcare setting is being recognized by a growing number of leading
medical institutions, including Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt and Stanford.
About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina
is the one of the oldest medical schools in the United States. Today, MUSC
continues the tradition of excellence in education, research and patient
care. MUSC is home to more than 3,000 students and residents, as well as
more than 10,000 employees, including 1,300 faculty members. As the largest
non-federal employer in Charleston, the University and its affiliates have
collective budgets in excess of $1.5 billion per year. MUSC operates a 600
bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's
Hospital and a leading Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on
academic information or clinical services, visit http://www.musc.edu or
http://www.muschealth.com
|
