Artists on the Wards' role and purpose in the community |
![]() The main goal of AOW is to provide stress relief which helps lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels and increase brain function. But AOW also strives to provide patients opportunities for socialization, to reconnect with positive emotions, build self confidence, and to provide independence and control over the environment. Although it is not specifically directed towards hospital staff, they also benefit from the program by enjoying the music, hearing a poem or participating in an art project when time allows. Overall, AOW helps to create a more positive and uplifting environment for staff, patients and their families when they are at their most stressed, frustrated and/or depressed. |
The program experience |
![]() In their visits, visual artists encourage participation when a patient is able but also create with ![]() |