Art and the Galleries

Art is a powerful tool that helps patients and families through challenging circumstances. A growing body of evidence confirms the benefits of exhibiting art in a healthcare setting.

The Society for the Arts in Healthcare reports that roughly half of U.S. hospitals are using the arts to:

• Support the well-being of patients, families and staff
• Create a healing environment
• Lower stress and anxiety

Children’s National Hospital has helped many of our community organizations by exhibiting their students’ artwork in our galleries, displaying their artwork throughout the hospital corridors and participating in several community events that were in need of art activities beneficial to the diverse population in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Our goal has always been to reach out to as many of our youth as possible. Our focus is to encourage young people to give back either in the arts or by contributing to community art activities that promote the human experience.

Our Galleries

The Gallery is located on the first floor near the Costco Wholesale Atrium. This exhibit space features artwork from local and international professional artists as well as special visiting exhibitions showcasing the work of children’s art organizations. The space is open to the public, exhibits change quarterly and the work is for sale. A portion of all sales benefits Creative and Therapeutic Arts Services.

The Young Expression Gallery is located on the second floor of the main hospital and features rotating exhibits showcasing artwork from low-income youth art programs, community awareness art programs for children and organizations that promote arts in healing for the human spirit.

The diverse art collection throughout the hospital and in our clinic spaces allows patients, families and staff to take a break from the stresses of the day.