The Artful Healing program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, offers art-making activities for children, teens, young adults, and their families in Boston-area hospitals and healthcare centers. The MFA currently provides off-site workshops at Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These art workshops provide a fun and creative distraction for participants undergoing medical treatment. Art expression engages the imagination, helps alleviate anxiety, and provides a space for positive interactions and communication. And what results is a beautiful piece of art for patients to keep!

This initiative reinforces the Museum’s mission—to reach beyond its walls to bring art experiences into the community.

Artful Healing is generously supported by Carol and Terry Wall. Additional support for the program at MGH is provided by June N. and John C. Robinson.

About the Artful Healing workshops

bookmarkArtful Healing workshops take place free of charge in a group setting or bedside in patients’ rooms at regularly scheduled times. During an Artful Healing activity, participants and instructors look together at images from the MFA’s world-renowned collection. Participants have an opportunity to “explore” the MFA outside its walls and connect with its wonderful artworks—spanning six continents and thousands of years of history!
Following the slideshow and discussion, participants make art in a hands-on activity related to what they have seen. From Chinese brush painting to Styrofoam printmaking, wire sculptures, painting on canvas, sculpting with clay, embossed foil pendants: the range of activities is varied and uses studio-quality art materials.

Quotes from participants

bookmark“We’ve been here more than ten times in the last two weeks . . . but this is the first time I’ve seen my son smiling. Thank you for that!”
Parent - Patient Entertainment Center, Boston Children’s Hospital

“The Artful Healing session was wonderful! The kids were engaged and many of them voiced that they felt better than when they first started the group. We are so honored to have this program on our unit and look forward to future sessions!”
Staff– Psychiatry Inpatient Service, Boston Children’s Hospital

“When I go back to school I will bring these materials to teach my art teacher how to make prints like the MFA because it is the most fun art project I have ever done.”
Patient - Pediatric Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital

“[U]ndertaking an activity with people who can sympathize with your struggles is a truly wonderful experience, and having people genuinely want to have a place in that is even greater.”
Ilana Rose Kittrell- age 15, brain tumor survivor.
STEPS at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Support group for adolescent and young adults brain tumor survivors)

Beyond the Spectrum: Adventures in Art for Children with Autism

bookmarkBeyond the Spectrum: Adventures in Art for Children with Autism is a specially designed program for children between 8-12 on the Autism Spectrum, including Asperger’s Syndrome, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. The program meets on the first Saturday of each month from 10:30 am to noon. Each class lasts an hour and a half and combines gallery exploration with an art-making activity. For more information and to buy your tickets please visit the Beyond the Spectrum page, call 617-369-4027, or e-mail artfulhealing@mfa.org.

Accessibility at the MFA

bookmarkThe Museum is committed to making both its building and programs accessible to visitors with disabilities. For general access information, call 617-267-9300, or e-mail access@mfa.org. For information about parking, mobility devices, assistive listening devices, and other resources, please visit the MFA's Accessibility page. For specific or unusual questions related to accessibility, please call 617-369-3189.