Newcastle Hospitals Charity - The Art Trolley Open Call

The Art Trolley will be used to deliver regular visual arts, craft, making and wellbeing activities across a range of hospital departments and wards, engaging various patient groups who have multiple needs. The Trolley will help create a joyful and stimulating experience on our wards, acting as a distraction from treatment and pain, while encouraging creativity and promoting patient wellbeing. We’re looking for an Artist in Residence to take the lead on collaboratively developing a new Art Trolley for the hospital environment through a process of bespoke engagement; The Art Trolley will be developed in collaboration with staff and patients providing opportunities for users to input into the design and function, and ensuring patient need and accessibility is embedded in the design process. The artist will work closely with an appointed fabricator to develop the trolley design using feedback from patients and staff.

The artist will go onto devise and deliver a regular programme of creative engagement activities utilising the trolley and its materials. This programme will be delivered on various wards for multiple patient groups from Spring 2025 – Spring 2026. These sessions may take place at bedsides, in day rooms and may be carried out on a one-to-one basis or in groups, with both one-off and/or repeated engagement. A flexible approach to engagement is required.