DGD17-027
Policy
Arts in Health Program
Policy Statement
This policy is to provide guidance for the Arts in Health Program within ACT Health.
The Arts in Health Program positively contributes to the vision of ensuring that ACT Health facilities are a vibrant, colourful, engaging and therapeutic place of treatment, healing and rehabilitation. The Program represents a unique opportunity to connect with patients and carers as valued members of the ACT community. It builds an inclusive sense of community, respecting our diverse backgrounds and abilities and in so doing enhances the delivery of health services to our community. Art in the healthcare environment makes users of ACT Health services feel more welcome and also increases staff satisfaction. The art meets infection control standards (see Attachment B). The Arts in Health Program enhances the healthcare environment and aligns with the ACT Health Directorate’s core values of Care, Excellence, Collaboration and Integrity.
In keeping with the ACT Health Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-18, the entrances of all new ACT Health buildings showcase work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists thus ensuring that this work will be properly included within the larger strategy of providing a culturally welcoming environment.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline the policy framework for the Arts in Health Program. The key objective of the Arts in Health Program is to enhance the delivery of health services to the Canberra community by ACT Health through the provision of art across Canberra Hospital and Health Services facilities.
Scope
This policy applies to all ACT Health facilities and staff in their engagement with the arts. In particular, this policy applies to new and existing building projects. The Arts in Health Program and Committee will be consulted during the planning and design phase of new building work.
The Canberra Hospital Foundation works closely with the Arts in Health Program in the context of enriching the healthcare environment.
Roles & Responsibilities
The Executive Director, Business Support Services is the Chair of the Arts in Health Committee and is responsible for its administration.
The Arts in Health Committee directs the work of the Curator to create a therapeutic and culturally welcoming environment in ACT Health facilities.
The Curator reports to the Chair of the Arts in Health Committee and is responsible for developing and maintaining the Arts in Health Program, including proposing acquisitions, de-accessions and maintenance of works of art in ACT Health facilities in accordance with the Arts in Health policy and procedure documents. The Curator will liaise with art therapists and will develop relationships with local arts organisations and the broader community. The electronic Asset Register is maintained by the Curator in accordance with ACT Health asset management protocols.
EvaluationOutcome Measures
· All works in the Arts in Health Collection meet the Collection Criteria (Attachment A)
· Patients, clients, consumers, and their carers, families, visitors and staff are able to provide feedback and comments about the works of art through The Canberra Hospital Foundation, the Curator and through feedback to hospital staff.
· Acquisition and maintenance processes meet ACT Government protocols and industry standards. (see Procedure Arts in Health—Asset Management in ACT Health and Attachment C).
Method
· Acquisitions will be measured against the Collection Criteria and presented to the Arts in Health Committee for evaluation.
· User Feedback and comments about works in the collection to be collected via periodic review and reported to the Arts in Health Committee
· All works of art in the collection are listed on the electronic Asset Register
· All works of art on the asset register have accurate documentation
Related Policies, Procedures, Guidelines and Legislation
Policies
ACT Health Fundraising Policy
ACT Arts Policy 2015
ACT Health Strategic Asset Management Policy
ACT Health Procurement Policy
ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services, Parks Conservation and Land, Memorials Policy
ACT Disposals Policy
Procurement Policy Circular PC15 ‘Moral Rights for further information’
The ACT Government Procurement Policy Circular Version 1, November 2011 PC06: ‘Disposal of Assets’
Procedures
Procedure, Arts in Health – Asset Management in ACT Health Facilities
Frameworks
ACT Health Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-18
National Arts and Health Policy Framework, 2013
Legislation
Copyright Act 1968
Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000
Definition of Terms
· Work of art - Can be a painting, sculpture, poem, piece of music, or other product of the creative arts, especially one with strong imaginative or aesthetic appeal which has been made by an artist/craftsperson.
· De-accessioning – The permanent removal of an object from the collection.
· De-commissioning – The permanent removal of an object from the site.
References
1. “De-accessioning of material from the collection” Collections law, legal issues for Australian Archives, Galleries, Libraries and Museums Simpsons; Lawyers for collecting institutions. This publication was supported by Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport. Published on January 30, 2009
2. “Findings from an independent evaluation of Art at the Canberra Hospital” EContext, December 2015.
3. “National Arts and Health Policy Framework“ 2013
National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia) (2010). Australian guidelines for the prevention and control of infection in healthcare. NHMRC, A.C.T
Search Terms
Art, Arts, Program, Acquisition, Maintenance, De-accessioning
Attachments
Attachment A – Collection Criteria
Attachment B – Infection Prevention and Control: Guidelines for art in ACT Health
Attachment C – Guidelines for gifts of works of art made to ACT Health
Disclaimer: This document has been developed by ACT Health, <Name of Division/ Branch/Unit> specifically for its own use. Use of this document and any reliance on the information contained therein by any third party is at his or her own risk and Health Directorate assumes no responsibility whatsoever.
Date Amended / Section Amended / Approved ByEg: July 2017 / All / PAC
Arts in Health Program
Attachment A - Collection Criteria
All acquisitions will:
Enhance ACT Health’s delivery of health services to the Canberra community
Positively contribute to ACT Health facilities as welcoming, engaging and therapeutic places of treatment, healing and rehabilitation
Enhance the quality of life of the patients, community and staff
Align with the ACT Health values of Care, Excellence, Collaboration and Integrity
Be of high quality, representing a diversity of artistic practice
Communicate readily to a broad range of visitors and users
Respond to the diversity of need amongst patients, carers and staff in ACT Health
Create a sense of quality care
Support orientation and way finding
Provide positive distraction
Enhance the image of ACT Health.
Practical Considerations - all acquisitions will:
Be appropriate in size and materials to the proposed location
Have correct documentation demonstrating legal title and provenance
Have no conditions attached to the donation
Be in good condition with minimal or no inherent material vice
Not feature distasteful or explicit nudes or anatomy, viscera, foreboding or negative subject matter, specifically religious or political iconography, or depict deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons unless the relevant community is fully consulted.
Be able to meet infection control standards as outlined in the Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Art in ACT Health
Special Consideration should be given to works that:
Build an inclusive sense of community; respecting the diverse backgrounds and abilities of the ACT Community
Depict activities of the ACT community
Represent the topography, geography, flora and fauna of the ACT
Are by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons.
Arts in Health Program
Attachment B - Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Art in ACT Health
Why Infection Control standards matter for a healthcare facility art collection
The key issue for a healthcare facility art collection is to reduce the potential for transfer of infection through touch and the harbouring of infectious material through build-up of dust. Some materials, such as textiles and textured surfaces attract curious fingers that leave a residue that is damaging both to the object and the next set of curious fingers. The key policy objective of ACT Health is that the space be a therapeutic place of healing. The Arts and Health Program supports this goal.
Why arts matter in a healthcare facility environment
The key policy objective of the Arts in Health Program is to enhance ACT Health’s delivery of health services to the Canberra community and catchment area. Impressive national and international research has repeatedly demonstrated that arts programs and activities make significant contributions to health outcomes. Evidence based research demonstrates that participation in the arts leads to improved mental and physical health including reduced stress, maintenance of mental health, promoted healing, sustained brain development and increased referrals to health services.
Best practice
The Arts in Health Program embraces the infection control policies as a way of ensuring that best practice in health outcomes are achieved and that the presentation of the works in the collection will continue to be a positive addition to the healthcare environment long into the future. Preventative conservation is a strategy often used in the arts. It means the appropriate selection and positioning of works of art so that environmental factors such as light, temperature and relative humidity, and other conditions that may affect the long-term preservation do not degrade the object over time. Best practice in relation to infection control is a further layer on this, being mindful of the materials in relation to routine cleaning and minimizing their attraction to being touched.
Exceptions
Works that invite touch can be installed without framing only if a strict cleaning schedule is maintained for the item (frequency to be determined in consultation with Infection Control). This can be difficult to maintain in-house in the long-term without appropriate ongoing handling training and maintenance instructions and may best be undertaken by a qualified cultural conservation specialist. For these reasons materials that invite touch should be avoided, including tactile sculptures. Quilts and textiles can be placed behind acrylic following the model of the Snowy Hydro Southcare Quilt.
Guidelines for materials
Media / Management strategy / Infection control guidelinestextiles, 3D objects / framed behind acrylic or in showcases / Suitable for areas with a moderate risk rating
works on paper (Including prints and photographs, textiles (including quilts) / framed behind acrylic
if quilts are not behind acrylic there must be a regular cleaning schedule with a date attached to the hanging indicating when last cleaned / Suitable for areas with a moderate risk rating
wallpapers, vinyl, acrylic film / must be wipe-able with a dilute bleach solution
lifting wallpaper/vinyl should be removed and replaced / Suitable for areas with a high risk rating. May be suitable for clinical areas dependent on consultation with infection control.
canvases / should be given frames and backing boards
glazing dependent on location, consult Infection Control
porous or perforated/ heavily worked canvasses will be glazed / Suitable for areas with a low risk rating
metal, glass, ceramic / must be wipe-able with a dilute bleach solution in high risk areas / Suitable for areas with a high risk rating.
The healthcare environment
The healthcare environment can be categorised into types of spaces for the purposes of art placement and these are listed below. Non public office spaces where the placement of art is not a priority are outside the scope of this paper. If in doubt the curator will consult the Infection Prevention and Control Unit for advice.
Management Strategies
Any item that is to be installed in ACT Health buildings should not collect dust or attract touch by visitors to the healthcare facility. They should be able to be cleaned and dusted by standard ACT Health cleaning contractors on a regular basis. Works on paper should be housed behind acrylic, other materials should be able to be wiped clean with dilute bleach. If an object does not lend itself to this routine cleaning program it must be housed in such a way that such cleaning is enabled or it should not be acquired.
References:
Dancer Stephanie J ‘Importance of the environment in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus acquisition: the case for hospital cleaning’ http://infection.thelancet.com Vol 8 February 2008
National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia) (2010). Australian guidelines for the prevention and control of infection in healthcare. NHMRC, A.C.T
Available on the internet as at 20/02/2011 at:http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/cd33syn.htm
DGD17-027 / 1 / 05/10/2017 / 01/09/2019 / Business Support Services / Page 2 of 10
Do not refer to a paper based copy of this policy document. The most current version can be found on the ACT Health Policy Register
DGD17-027
Risk stratification table based on types of spaces within the healthcare facility or service
Risk assessment / Indicative Spaces / Description of Space / Priority for works of art / Infection Control Concerns / Possible MediaLow
Signalled by inclusion of pot plants, carpets coffee shops etc / Foyer spaces / Highest circulation of the public using these spaces / High priority spaces for placement of works of art / All surfaces will be routinely cleaned / Photographs, textiles, works on paper etc behind acrylic.
Timber to be lacquered
Metal, glass, ceramic
Canvases may be unglazed if there is a reasonable expectation that they will not be touched and can be cleaned with a feather duster. They should be framed with backing boards.
Moderate
Signalled by inclusion of textiles on seating, bookcases, coffee tables / Secondary reception areas: including waiting rooms, conference rooms, corridors, / Patients may be waiting treatment / Moderate priority spaces for placement of works of art / All surfaces will be routinely cleaned, / Photographs, textiles, works on paper etc behind acrylic. Timber to be lacquered
Metal, glass, ceramic
Canvases to be discussed on a case by case basis
Corridors between wards
Circulation corridors
Community health centres, consultation/outpatient clinic / High traffic areas / Moderate priority spaces for placement of works of art / Photographs, textiles, works on paper etc behind acrylic.
Timber to be lacquered
Metal, glass, ceramic
Canvases to be discussed on a case by case basis
High
Signalled by controlled access / Clinical spaces / Spaces where treatment takes place / Low priority spaces for placement of works of art
unless required for clinical/ distractive purposes / Only work that can be routinely cleaned, where there is no possibility of a build up of dust in hidden areas. / Digital art, wallpapers, acrylic/vinyl films made by artists.
photographs, textiles, works on paper, canvasses, etc. behind acrylic.
Metal, glass, ceramic
All materials can be wiped over with a dilute bleach solution
Consultation rooms / Often these spaces do not have windows and can be seen as threatening or alienating / Dependent on need / Cleaning is paramount within these areas. / Photographs, textiles, works on paper, canvasses, etc. behind acrylic.
Metal, glass, ceramic
Staff may wish to hang their awards this is acceptable so long as the items can be cleaned with detergent and water and dried
Doc No. / Version / Issued / Review Date / Area Responsible / Page
DGD17-027 / 1 / 05/10/2017 / 01/09/2019 / Business Support Services / Page 2 of 10
Do not refer to a paper based copy of this policy document. The most current version can be found on the ACT Health Policy Register
/ Document Number Allocated after endorsement
Arts in Health Program
Attachment C - Guidelines for Gifts of Works of Art made to ACT Health