CAMH Therapeutic Art Project

Recognizing the growing evidence that physical environment and art can play an important role in reducing stress and improving patient recovery, CAMH launched the Therapeutic Art Project as part of the third phase of its Queen Street Redevelopment Project.

The Therapeutic art project is a donor funded art competition that sourced 10 structurally-integrated installations (ranging from video, light, sound, glass frit, stone, painting, sculpture, reclaimed wood and more) and 24 stand-alone pieces for the corridors, waiting and outdoor areas in our two new hospital buildings.

Guiding Principles

To engage the community at large in the urban neighbourhood
To enhance the patient and visitor experience through the healing power of art
To service as intuitive wayfinding landmarks
To foster communication and dialogue
To interpret the sensory and restorative aspects of the natural world

Process

A transparent and artist-centred process commenced with open call for artist credentials for both structurally integrated and stand-alone pieces in June 2016. The process was both rigorous to ensure excellent quality work and accessible to support emerging artists and people with lived experience.

CAMH received more than 300 responses in total to the call.

Each submission received was evaluated by the CAMH Artist Selection Panel. Finalists were invited to submit their designs to a technical panel for review, and then present their concepts to a jury, who made the final selection.

We are excited to share the results of this remarkable collaboration with the artists, jury members, the community, our redevelopment team and our generous donors. The art project is one of the ways that our Queen Street redevelopment brings mental health is health to life and delvers on our promise to provide healing, healthy and beautiful spaces to our patients, their families, our staff and the community.

We thank all the artists and jury members who contributed so much to this project.