Creative Kids Program: Arts for Expression & Coping
Our programs are designed to help patients and families cope with being hospitalized, learn something new and explore the joys of childhood even when hospitalized. We understand the best possible hospital experience integrates compassionate, family-centered care, and we encourage families to connect with our experts in all of our special programs.
The Creative Kids Program provides a creative outlet and can positively affect the way a child experiences pain and anxiety.
Creative Arts Therapies
Our Creative Arts therapists use art, music and the creative process to help kids:
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Cope with the stress of being in a hospital
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Explore feelings about their illness
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Build their confidence
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Make choices
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Expand their development and emotional growth
Medical music therapy. The power of music in a medical environment is well documented. Music therapists are trained professionals who use a music experience to promote soothing, self-expression and coping. Music therapy is a process that helps the patient feel successful at any ability level. Music is a universal language — it is a social experience that naturally promotes bonding within families and peer groups. This therapy is successful because patient preferred music is used to give comfort in an unpredictable environment.
Medical art therapy. Art is a natural language for children and helps them make sense of, and express, their inner thoughts and feelings. Art therapists are trained professionals who use a variety of art materials at the bedside, or in a group setting, to improve the physical and emotional well-being of patients and families. Art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process of selfexpression helps people overcome challenges, connect with others, increase their self-esteem, reduce stress and gain self-awareness.
Arts Education
Snow City Arts. This education and programming offers patients who have an interest in visual arts, music and writing additional opportunities to enhance their creative skills. One-on-one instruction from artists-in-residence, who are all working artists, musicians and writers, makes this program unique. Musically inclined patients can learn to write a song, play an instrument and record their compositions. In creative writing workshops, kids compose their own short stories and poems, as well as study literature. There are also numerous activities in the visual arts workshops, such as painting, sculpting, drawing, computer art, photography and filmmaking.
Recreation and Respite
Skylight TV, our closed-circuit, interative television station »
Fine arts volunteers. Professional artists who volunteer their time to work with our patients. When these volunteers work with a patient, it gives the child a chance to explore making art together. We also have art carts available for patient enjoyment in the outpatient centers on the weekends.
Gallery spaces. There are public exhibits of patient artwork throughout the hospital. Whether you are walking through the halls while waiting, or getting some much needed time out of your room, you can view artwork created by our patients, as well as established artists, here at the hospital.
The Hands Project. This rotating gallery of patient artwork, made of 8" x 8" panels, is a way for families and patients to acknowledge their presence and participation in our community of healing and support.
Children’s Expressions. This retail operation showcases patient artwork through one-of-a-kind greeting cards, apparel and accessories. It is an important funding source for the hospital’s Family Services programs. Anyone shopping on our online store or hospital gift shops can purchase the unique merchandise, with all proceeds benefitting our patients and their families.
Special events, lobby events, guests and celebrity visitors. The hospital's Siragusa Lobby is home to entertaining events, which includes face painters, jugglers and musicians. Music concerts are frequently held here, and always include various types of music carefully selected to appeal to a broad age group.
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